GORDION MUSEUM
Established near a small village with a population of 500, known as Yassıhöyük, in 1963. Today there is a chronological exhibition in Gordion Museum and every period is represented with characteristic examples. In three exhibition vitrines there are works of the the Early Bronze Age and these are followed by artefacts of the Early Phrygian Period, which ended with King Midas. The objects that are exhibited include: handmade pots and pans belonging to the Early Iron Age, iron equipment belonging to the Early Phyrigian Period, and equipment of textile production. In the new exhibition gallery, a typical structure of layers of ruins dated 700 B.C. within a panoramic window. Greek ceramics imported in the ages 6 B.C.-4 A.C. and materials belonging to the Hellenistic Age and Roman periods are exhibited in the other parts of the new gallery. The visitors are able to see the examples of seals and coins that were found in Gordian in the last section.
The Development of the Museum
The increase in the number of the visitors to Gordion Museum in the last years has led to new arrangements being made. Within these studies, the main structures to be listed are the 180 m2 storage building, 150 m2 additional exhibition gallery, 30 m2 laboratory, 35 m2 gallery of visual information and 5000 m2 open exhibition area.
The area that has been recently excavated has been afforested with the saplings that the Phyrigians used in their furnishings such as cedar, scented juniper, boxwood, yellow pine, walnut and yew tress.
The Roman Mosaic and the Galatian Tomb that have been transferred to this new area, it is to be considered as a part of the studies carried out.
Phrygian Monumental Tombs
The Gordian region is surrounded with monumental tombs of various sizes dating from the last quarter of 8th century B.C. to the Middle of 6th century B.C. Monumental tombs are the tombs of the nobles and leading people of Phyrigia. The monumental tomb known as the Midas Monumental Tomb, 300 m. in diameter and of 55 m. height, has a magnificent appearance. The excavation of the Midas Monumental Tomb was carried out in 1957 and the findings were presented to the public in 1960 with the completion of the construction of concrete support by the excellent Turkish engineering.
Kayabaşı mosaic
The Roman Period mosaic, dated the 3rd century A.D., which was found during a digging of a foundation in the village of Kayabaşı of Polatlı in 1989, was reported by the owner of the building to the Museum of Anatolion Civilizations and the excavations were completed within that year. The mosaic, which couldn’t be transferred because of the lack of space, was carried successfully to the garden of Gordion Museum in 1999, and was also mounted within a semi-enclosed place. There are animal motives in the center of the mosaic and geometric ornamentation around the mosaic with a size of 6,60×7,70 m. Conservation and restoration studies continue.
The Galatian tomb “Monumental Tomb O”
The tomb, which was found in an unlicensed excavation in 1954, was named by the Gordian Excavation Group as the “O” Monumental Tomb. The monument was exposed to destruction by humans and nature at the end of the half-century. The monumental work was saved from disappearance on the intervention of the Ministry of Culture. After numbering the stone blocks, drawings of which have been made by museum experts, they were transferred to the new garden of the Gordion Museum. The tomb, which will be built again in the near future, will be presented for all humanity to see.
The settlement of Ancient Gordion
The capital of the Kingdom of Phrygia, the ruins of the famous city of Gordion; are near the Ankara-Eskişehir highway and at the point upon which the Sangorios and Porsuk rivers converge and 18 km to the northwest of Polatlı. The discoveries made during German and American excavations and that were introduced in various publications, let us date the settlement back to the Early Bronze Age (3000 B.C.).
Although Gordion was destroyed by the Kimmers in the beginning of 7th century B.C., it experienced its most successful period between 750-700 B.C. Many foundations and the monumental tombs in the settlement prove that the occupation lasted until the end of the 6th century. But Gordion was governed by Persians (beginning from the middle of 6th century B.C.) until Alexander the Great restored the city and it retained its independence.
The famous knot tied by King Gordion was cut by Alexander the Great in Gordion, where he stayed during the winter of 333 B.C.
The Hellenistic Period started in Gordion after the conquest of the city by Alexander the Great (300-100 B.C.). Then the Roman Period (1 B.C. – 4 B.C.) and the Seljuk period (1100-1300 A.D.) started. All of this happened in Gordion in a short period of more than 400 years.
GORDION MUSEUM
1. Exhibition gallery
2. New-Exhibition gallery
3. Phyrigian Mosaic
4. Administration Bureau
5. W.C.
6. Storage
7. Laboratory
8. Roman Mosaic
9. Galatian Tomb
10. House (Residence)
11. House (Residence)
