2. Outline
Excavation History of Gordion
Yassıhöyük and Gordion Citadels
Timeline of Gordion
Gordion Potteries
Textile Production in Gordion
Glass work in Gordion
Tumulus near Gordion
Myths about Gordion
Conclusion
3. Discovery of Gordion
By German Classicist Körte in 1893
Seven years later started first excavations
Foundings shared between Ottoman and
German Emperial Museums
4. Excavation History Of Gordion
Excavations started again in 1950 by
Americans (Mr. Young)
Since then excavations continue.
Gordion is one of the few sites in Middle East
that research continues since 1950.
6. Origins of Gordion
Herodotus states Phrygians came from
Balkans and settled to Gordion. (~1200 BC)
After Trojan war for some sources
Some archelogical founds support Balkanic
influence (ceramics,burials)
7. Origins of Gordion
There was a political lacuna at that time after
collapse of Hittites.
Eventually with the rise of Phrygians Gordion
becomes capital.
Greece and Assyria texts says a powerful
Phrygian state ruled in 8th century. In Assyria
texts King Midas is called as ‘Mita’
10. Yassıhöyük (Flat-topped
Mound)
Main settlement mound of Gordion
Eastern part of mound was not settled after
Hellenistic period, so one side of it higher than
other
11. Phrygians Citadels
Excavators came with two major levels of
monumental architecture from YassıHöyük.
An old (Early Phrygian) and new (Middle-Late
Phrygian) fortified citadels.
Old citadel is destroyed by a fire (around 800
BC), so foundings are well preserved.
Young focused on excavating Old Citadel and
skipped new citadel.
17. New Citadel
After fire of old citadel, Phrygians started to
build new citadel with a single plan.
Midas may have witnessed completion of this
huge project
Larger and stronger compared to old one.
19. Bronze Age and Early Iron Age
From Bronze Age , relatively little is known
about Gordion
Foundings indicate Hittite dominance in
Gordion and its near
In Early Iron Age Phrygian settlements start in
Gordion (1200–950 BCE)
Foundings support an immigration came from
probably Balkan region.
20. Early Phrygian Stage
From 950–800 BCE
Old citadel gradual construction
Monumental character of city indicates the
emergence of Phrygians state.
Old citadel destroyed in 800 BC.
21. Middle Phrygian Stage
From 800–550 BCE
New citadel is constructed.
Especially in King Midas time during 8th
century BC was Golden Time of state
Good relationships and trade with neighbours
especially Greeks
Gordion had its largest boundaries in this time
22. Other Stages
Gordion as Lydian Province (6th century)
As a Part of Persian Empire (6th-4th century)
Helenistic Macedonian Empire (4th century)
Roman Times
23. Gordion Potteries
Potteries are abundand found in excavations
Pottery types influenced by Greek pottery
types because of close trade connections
Rich of pottery types from Hellenistic to
Persian
34. Textile in Gordion
Textile endustry was developed in Gordion and
was important for Phrygian Elites.
There were workshop buildings for textile
production. (industrial area)
Phrygian textiles most likely had a similar
function to Aegean cloth, acting as both a
medium of exchange and as a prestige good.
40. Glass work in Gordion
These glass findings suggest a tradition of
glass production in Asia Minor, possibly
Phrygia itself
One of the most extensive bodies of early
luxury glassware from datable contexts.
49. Tumulus Near Gordion
Gordion had a Tumulus tradition for their
royal’s death.
In Tumulus dead with some metarials were
buried.
Biggest Tumulus is MM (Midas Mound) –
probably his father’s tumulus
35 of 85 Tumulus excavated
59. References
The archaeology of Midas and the Phrygians:
Recent work at Gordion , KEALHOFER, L.
(Ed.) , 2005
Some images are taken from this book above.
University of Pennsylvania
http://sites.museum.upenn.edu/gordion/
