Mount Nemrut: Where colossal stone gods guard a 2,000-year-old mystery – CNN

A Royal Tomb at the Summit

Perched at an elevation of 2,134 meters (7,001 feet) on one of the highest peaks of the Eastern Taurus mountain range in southeastern Türkiye, the archaeological site of Mount Nemrut is a monumental tomb sanctuary from the 1st century BC. It was built by King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene, a small, independent Armenian-Hellenistic kingdom, as a testament to his own divinity and a final resting place for his body.

The Colossal Stone Guardians

The summit is famous for its two terraces, the East and West, which are flanked by enormous seated statues. These statues, standing 8–9 meters (26–30 feet) high, depict a syncretic collection of deities, blending Greek, Armenian, and Persian influences.

The Pantheon of Deities

The statues represent King Antiochus himself alongside an array of gods including Zeus-Oromasdes, Apollo-Mithras, and Heracles-Artagnes. Their colossal heads have toppled from their bodies over the centuries and now lie scattered around the terraces, creating an eerie and majestic landscape against the sky.

Architectural Ambition

The entire complex, including the statues, a large tumulus of crushed rock believed to cover the king's tomb, and extensive stone reliefs, showcases the ambitious building programs of the Commagene kingdom. The technical skill required to transport and erect these multi-ton stone blocks at such a high altitude remains a subject of admiration and study.

The Enduring Mystery

Despite over a century of archaeological work, the central mystery of Mount Nemrut remains largely unsolved. The precise location of King Antiochus I's burial chamber has never been confirmed, as excavations have not yet penetrated the heart of the stone tumulus.

An Unread Legacy

The site is covered in extensive Greek inscriptions, known as the *nomos*, which detail the king's religious and legal decrees, the establishment of a new cult, and rituals to be performed. However, these texts have not yielded the secret to accessing the main tomb, leaving the king's final resting place a compelling archaeological enigma.

A Site for the Gods

The alignment of the terraces was deliberately designed for celestial observation, particularly for the sunrise and sunset. The way the light illuminates the colossal stone heads during these times enhances the site's mystical atmosphere, a quality that continues to draw visitors from around the world.