Harpy Tomb, Ancient tomb in Xanthos, Turkey
The Harpy Tomb is an elevated stone chamber in Xanthos adorned with marble panels featuring winged female figures carved at its corners. The structure sits on a tall base and was decorated with detailed relief work depicting various scenes.
Built between 480 and 470 BCE during the Persian Achaemenid Empire, this tomb likely served as the burial place for a Persian governor. It was constructed at a time when Xanthos was under Achaemenid control.
The relief panels blend Greek and Persian artistic styles, depicting seated figures accepting gifts from standing servants in ceremonial moments. These scenes reflect the ritual practices and values of the era.
The original marble reliefs are now in the British Museum in London, but replicas remain at the archaeological site for visitors to see. The tomb sits on an elevated base, allowing it to be viewed from multiple angles as you walk around the site.
The interior chamber later became the home of a Christian hermit who painted religious artwork on the backs of the stone sculptures. This surprising reuse connected different religious traditions at the same location.
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