Tumulus MM, Burial mound in Ankara Province, Turkey
Tumulus MM is a large burial mound within the ancient site of Gordion, located in Ankara Province, Turkey. It rises more than 50 meters above the surrounding plain and covers a wooden burial chamber sealed under layers of stone and packed earth.
Tumulus MM was built around 740 BCE, making it one of the oldest Phrygian burial mounds in Anatolia. Archaeologists first excavated it in 1957, uncovering an intact wooden chamber that had remained undisturbed for over 2,700 years.
Tumulus MM is often called Midas Mound because local tradition long linked it to the legendary King Midas of Phrygia. More recent research suggests it was built for his father, which gives the place a different story than most visitors expect.
Tumulus MM is part of the Gordion archaeological site, roughly an hour's drive from Ankara, and the mound is visible from a distance as you approach along the main road. The site offers little shade, so early morning or late afternoon visits are more comfortable, especially in summer.
The wooden burial chamber inside the mound was sealed so tightly that many objects found inside, including textiles, were preserved for over two millennia. Residue analysis of the bronze vessels found with the body suggests that a drink made from barley, grapes, and honey was shared at the funeral gathering.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
