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Photographer’s Note

All pre-Greek people of Turkey coast used to build beautiful monumental tombs associated with some form of ancestor worship. The Lycians developed this form of art to perfection, no doubt facilitated by the soft limestone of the region. The quality of stonemasonry of the Lycian people is noteworthy and is especially significant in the construction of tombs. Today the entire landscape of Lycia is still dotted with their fascinating funerary monuments.

The tomb shown here is a typical Sarcophagi (dating back to Roman period, specifically to the the 2nd century A.D.) whose roof resembles an overturned boat so witnessing the link of Lycian people with the sea. Here in Kekova-Simena all tombs were opened by ancient thieves looking for the gold or silver coin into the mouth of the dead, who needed it to pay for the passage to the afterworld.

(more interesting news in Lycian Tombs)

The most noticeable feature, from a photographer point of view, is the perfect way these reddish limestone monuments fit in the rough environment made of steep slopes, olive trees and blue sea.

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Additional Photos by Dario Marizza (dmarizz) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 289 W: 140 N: 454] (2342)
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