Sarcophagi of Patara

The main purpose of this thesis is to document the sarcophagi in the necropoleis and other burial areas of the ancient city of Patara, collect them in a catalogue, set them into the city plan, evaluate them typologically by comparative method and reveal a chronology. A total of 150 podiums, chests, lids and their fragments were catalogued as a result of the field studies and review of the archive of the Patara Excavations. Garland, half-fabricated and ornamented sarcophagi and sarcophagi with figures were excluded from the scope of this study. First of all, the early research in the ancient city of Patara, followed by the excavations, surveys and publications in the necropoleis are briefly summarised. Then, the definition of the necropolis is made and the necropolis studies conducted by other researchers in Lycia and other regions are briefly evaluated. Necropoleis of Patara and other burial areas are described topographically. The relationship between the necropoleis and the ancient roads providing access to the city is analyzed. Information on the materials used for the sarcophagi and construction techniques of the structures are summarized in the third section. The first remarkable finding is that the total number of sarcophagi found in Patara is small compared to other cities in the region. However, the fact that the Liman Necropolis, one of the most important necropoleis of the city, remains under a swamp today shows that the expected number is much higher than this. All known sarcophagus types of Lycia are represented in Patara. On the other hand, as presumed by previous researchers, sarcophagi with triangular pedimented lids (gabled-roof-lid) constitute the majority in Patara. That Patara was a harbour city plays an important role in this. Only 16 sarcophagi could be approximately dated based on the inscriptions and finds. Two of these belong to the Late Hellenistic Period, while about 20 of them are typologically and stylistically dated to this period and the Early Roman Period. However, the overwhelming majority of the sarcophagi are dated to the second half of the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.