Esenkoy tumulus and its remains

This master?s thesis aims to examine the Eşenköy Tumulus recently looted by the illicit diggers near the ancient city of Daskyleion in Mysia. Issues such as the architectural features and use of this tumulus are examined in the light of available evidence derived from this rescue excavation. A date for the construction of this tumulus is offered in light of comparisons with similar tumuli in neighboring regions such as Lydia, Thrace, and Phrygia. Daskyleion served as one of the four satrapies of the Persian Empire which ruled Anatolia between 547 B.C. and 334 B.C. In this context, the study of the Eşenköy Tumulus is hoped to contribute our general knowledge tumulus tradition in Mysia where the evidence is limited about burial customs. Thus, the Eşenköy Tumulus is compared to those similar examples found in Lydia, Troad and Phrygia to obtain information on its use and date. It is purposed that Eşenköy tumulus can best be compared to Lydian tumuli dating from 7th to 4th centuries B.C. in terms of architecture and construction techniques, as well as the grave furniture. The Eşenköy tumulus can temporally be placed into the late 6th / early 5th century BC. It appears that the tumulus was re-used in the Hellenistic period.