Ancient Gordion Burial Mound Identified as Tomb of King Midas' Father, Gordias, Not Midas Himself
One of Turkey's most renowned ancient burial mounds, popularly known as the Midas Tumulus, is now believed by experts at the ancient city of Gordion to be the tomb of Gordias, the father of the legendary Phrygian King Midas. Located in Ankara's Polatlı district, the monumental tomb contains an exceptionally well-preserved wooden burial chamber dating back nearly 3,200 years, offering significant evidence of Phrygian funerary practices, woodworking, and metal craftsmanship. Despite its enduring popular association with King Midas, archaeological evidence suggests the monument was likely commissioned by Midas for his father after Gordias' death. Kadim Koç, chairman of the Gordion Foundation, noted that the association with Midas persisted due to the king's greater fame, even though initial reports from the 1957 excavation identified it as Gordias' tomb. The burial mound, approximately 53 meters high and 300 meters in diameter, houses a 6.15 by 5.15-meter wooden chamber constructed from juniper timber that ha... 
