The Monumental Grave Mound Yığma Tepe – Results of the Geophysical-archaeological Cooperation

From 2014 to 2019 a new interdisciplinary research project was carried out on the Yığma Tepe tumulus of Pergamon (158 m diameter, 32 m height). Large-scale geophysical prospections by the universities of Kiel and Kocaeli (Geoelectrics, GPR, Seismics) were supplemented by small-scale excavations by the Pergamon Excavation of the German Archaeological Institute. They showed that the tumulus consists of three different stratigraphic units of about 10 m in height. Several deep-set structures were recorded inside the embankment (SOI 1–6). At least one large reflective body (SOI 2) lying 5 m above the ancient surface might be a grave complex. Excavations and near-surface geophysics showed a complex system of radially and concentrically arranged, segmented and poorly built rubble walls in the embankment. This reflects the construction process and might have served to regularise and stabilise the tumulus. The foot of an unguentarium (late 3rd or early 2nd cent. BC) found below the crepis gives a terminus post quem f or i ts c onstruction, which is further supported by a C14-AMS dated piece of charcoal (370–195 BC) in its construction debris layer. Therefore, the tumulus was probably built in the Hellenistic period and might be the burial place of the Attalid king(s).

Keywords:

tumulus, geophysical prospection, excavation, Pergamon, hellenistic