marble chamber pillar tomb stands abandoned city capital ancient region southwestern turkey dating approximately chamber topped tall pillar decorated marble panels carved relief tomb king marble chamber carved greek archaic style material heavily influenced greek art indications non greek influence carvings monument takes carved female winged figures resembling identities carved figures meaning scenes depicted uncertain generally agreed winged creatures absorbed greek mythology culture scenes represent greek deities possible unknown deities alternative interpretation represent scenes judgement scenes rulers carvings removed tomb 19th century archaeologist taken england visited reported finding remains culture virtually unknown europeans obtaining permission turkish authorities remove stone artefacts region collected large material commission london display culture culture time viewed branch greek culture scholars especially classical period onwards architecture sculpture classical greek style distinct culture religious rites distinguished greek language related probably directly descended related language groups speaking related languages continued exist centuries passed history occupied strategic position europe greek persian worlds met heavily influenced period persian influence dominate greek resulting culture greek influence found early date alphabet derived possibly country conquered acting culture influenced annexation neighbours greeks influence greek culture increased army defeated battle greek forces thought built died consequence wounds received defeat naval battle succeeded took iranian appeared pro persian alexander great conquest country rapid took place culture greek mythology features heavily greek mythology goddess fled giving birth order birth apollo play leader allies killed fire breathing monster stories originally mythology borrowed greek greek goddess example mother goddess having incorporated rest greek stories followed naturally certainly temple importance appear actively encouraged synthesis order promote greek family story greek mythology concerns origin country according myth named son king athens prior leader known later help remove throne athens real origin appear country found records sculpture architecture sculpture level greek greeks non greek peoples viewed greek pottery found quantity pillar wrestlers pillars distinctly greek style little eastern symbolism pillar tombs earliest form tomb found sixth century appearing pillar tombs appear reserved leading house tombs appear century onwards monumental tombs pillar tombs usually high standard belongs late style archaic style introduced element realism developed later classical style retained earlier geometric style rules symmetry tombs unique period style known sculptures include earlier later tomb tomb lies modern turkey north roman theatre stands west originally stood edge marketplace original pillar place took sculptures replaced cement casts originals tomb late archaic tomb survived extensive redevelopment roman period left standing isolated historical tombs survive particular period space inside tomb later occupied early christian noted backs bore remains religious paintings speculates man disciple named christian known lived tall columns construction tomb large square carved marble panels feet length feet inches height originally set large stone pedestal feet high making example pillar tomb pillar chamber creating space inside tomb feet inches tall hollow sides carved similar relief panels south small opening allow body placed tomb originally closed tomb appear large fact single piece weighing tons carved appearance layers false slab overlaps ones form parts local grey blue limestone style tomb artefacts period greek archaic style dating accurate archaic style continued time greece sculptures carved greek heavily influenced features carvings definitely suggest non greek origin female faces look lips large eyes typically seated figures receiving gifts standing figures left right edges north south sides winged female creatures bird bodies winged creatures carrying away small figures winged creatures north seated figure receiving helmet standing warrior chair bear winged creature right kneeling female winged creatures south seated figure uncertain sex receiving dove standing female seated figure holding left hand unidentified object possibly fruit egg right hand west females seated facing breasts large seen thin clothing right holds right hand flower left left holds right hand opening body figure opening cow design seen coins reign right opening female figures advance seated figures second advancing female holds right hand fruit left flower holds raised right hand object possibly egg east male figure seated throne holding right hand flower offered smaller standing figure small standing figure male holding left hand staff advancing dog seated figure advancing females holding left hand thought carvings monument originally brightly painted time discovery monument remains blue paint found backgrounds traces red paint found parts interpretations seated figures thought gods ancestors possible identities seated figures north south sides median general founder dynasty later king proposed possible identity tomb view scenes judgement rulers consistent view interpretation south figure queen underworld figures left right opening respectively repeated use symbolism accidental asia minor greek world palestine widely recognised symbol conversely symbol change death symbolism helpful identifying deities suitable gift goddess sexuality planted original cyprus suitable gift intellectual goddess overtly sexual meaning complains daughter forced eat seed underworld understood raped winged creatures likely stuck monument better match sources doubt claims small figures carrying away represent souls dead suggestion small figures daughters hero carried away removal sculptures sculpted taken england commissioned bring artefacts learned exploration region culture virtually unknown western_europe tomb minus located received permission october ottoman sultan remove stone artefacts region royal_navy ship commanded tasked recovering transporting items identified ship sailed malta october arrive site december delayed largely protracted negotiations turkish authorities documents thought translated requests seen removing stones walls operational military fortresses delay caused disagreement graves ship brought suitable tackle lifting heavier pieces wanted graves return malta immediately necessary equipment graves requested orders superiors took time arrive beacon finally return march remove sculptures weighed tons resting sides lifted causing sides tomb fall left sailors carry task way remarked parts receive injury probably scientific operation sculptures monument left large handled pieces stone arrived malta graves late season immediately succumbed malaria task abandoned tons material board
Harpy Tomb