Architecture and restitution of Markia Temple Tomb in Patara

This study mainly concentrates on the comparison of partially preserved Markia Temple-Tomb and other tomb monuments of Patara, Lycia and Anatolia in terms of design,decorative and architectural elements. Besides, surviving epigraphic and archaeological evidence will be analysed to identify local and regional elements then cultural relations between regions will be examined.Excavations and survey work initiated in 2002 excavation season after the completion of construction and utility work. With its superstructure entirely destroyed, the tomb was studied for the detailed drawing and information needed for restoration purposes. During the excavations, totally 1127 pieces including fragments and 585 blocks were documented. Before conveyed to the storage field, each layer where blocks were found was numbered and levelled then provided with the drawing of a detailed plan to the scale of 1:20. As a result of large scale intense efforts in the site between 2004-2007, the temple-tomb has been excavated to a great extent and 600 blocks have been documented through drawing into the plan with their level position and photographing. Archeological evidence such as ashlar blocks,plastic fragments ceramics and coins have been sorted out and catalogued. After long years of library research and excavations conducted in Lycia region, the conclusions are now ready to be drawn up and presented.Nearly all tombs in Patara, Lycia and Anatolia corresponding directly or indirectly to Markia Temple-Tomb have been included here. The preceding study has examined the Monumental Tomb of Markia from va¬rious standpoints.As well as its architectural and decorative schemes. The contributions it makes to the religious beliefs in Lycia and to hero cult have been interpreted under the light of surviving epigraphic and archaeological evidence.The archeological evidence comprising ashlar blocks,masonry,clamps,mortar and grouts columns, pillars, gates, roofs, gables, decorations, plastics and small pieces such as ceramic fragments and coins etc. as well as funerary rituels have been elaborately analysed and presented.The tomb measures 9.76 x 13.80 m and the cella that functioned as the burial chamber measures 5.20 x 6.80 m and 1.98m in height.Located in Patara, Monumental Tomb of Markia with temple facade faces the estuary to the west and the cella is accessed by a flight of 8 steps from the West face of the podium. The tomb was designed in prostylos, having single row of 4 columns on the front and all four corners were ornamented with pilasters. It has an ornate monumental door whose pediment was decorated with lion-head spouts. The entablature consists of 3 fascia architrave crowned by pulvinated frieze decorations and gable. In the cella, two ??? shaped sarcophagus were raised upon a pedestal. Barrel vaulted cella has square layout and single barrel vaulted hyposorion entered by a sliding door at the North face of the podium.Tomb of Markia is a glorious monument designed to resemble Roman temples. The tomb mimics not only the architectural plan of a temple but also its details.This is proved by using of the terms in the epitaphs:cella (sacred chamber of a temple), pronaos (the inner area of the portico of a temple) and temenos (a sacred enclosure or precinct surrounding or adjacent to a temple). Other characteristics of cultic funerary acrhitecture comprise relief portraits of Markia and her husband on the sarcophagus, lion and bull heads,depictions and symbols such as Medusa and Eros. In addition to the fragments carrying reliefs of Achilles, fragments of reliefs depicting the legend of Meleager and the boar, belonging to another Athenian sarcophagus were also unearthed.These sumptuous monumental tombs of prominent and noble families were erected to proclaim high social status and prestige also to perpetuate their occupants? existence via the promotion of their memory. Designed to last for eternity and perpetuity,the most compelling aspect of these monumental tombs is the range of ambiguities and paradoxes which they embody:they are frequently composed of stylistic elements appropriated from temples or other civic architecture, yet they are unmistakeably consecrated to the dead. The tombs pose a wide range of variety in terms of dimension,layout,materials and technique as well as their overall architecture within not only other regions of Empire but also the same geographical locations. Temple tombs varied in different designs in almost every period conveyed ideological messages by their location and scale.In conclusion, Temple-Tomb of Markia, Patara is one of the most significant monumental tombs not only in Patara or Lycia regions but also whole Anatolia with its surviving epigraphic and archaeological evidences.