Shepherds Discover Roman Tombstone – History Blog

A shepherd in the highlands of Mugla Province in southwestern Türkiye discovered a Roman tombstone in the shape of a relief altar while grazing his goats. The front of the stele shows a relief sculpture of a man and a woman, probably a married couple, under an arch, with a Greek inscription below. Each side is carved with two different types of garland relief.
Herders discovered the tombstones in a forested area at the foothills of Mount Akda and reported the discovery to the Fethiye Museum Authority. Archaeologists were sent to examine it and they considered it an object of historical significance because of its iconography, inscriptions and integrity.

They also recognized how heavy it was – an estimated 300 kilograms (660 pounds) – and therefore how difficult it would be to remove it from the rugged hills and drag it over rough terrain for 45 minutes to the nearest road and from there to the museum. They buried it to protect itself and installed motion detector cameras to keep it safe while working on the logistics. To recover the stele, a team of archaeologists and support staff hiked to the discovery site, wrapped the heavy stone and then spent seven hours transporting it to the road along a steep, rocky, forested hillside.

Ahmet Meke, an archaeologist involved in the restoration, said the piece probably dates from the first to third centuries AD and represents an altar-shaped tombstone common in Anatolia. What distinguishes this example, he explains, are its exquisite reliefs and inscriptions, elements that give it its significant epigraphic value.

According to Maker, the front of the stone depicts a man and a woman, suggesting a family portrait commemorating the deceased. He noted that the figures’ clothing and styling provide a window into the daily life and social structure of Roman-era communities in the region. He added that the accompanying inscription contains information about the individuals buried there.

The markup will now be cleaned and saved. The discovery site remains protected by security cameras while authorities are taking steps to recommend its protected status.