Kapılıkaya Monumental Rock Tomb

Osmancık Historic Buildings October 2010

The Kapılıkaya Monumental Rock Tomb is located at the Kırkdilim site on the Çorum-Osmancık highway, on the right-hand side of the road, on rugged terrain shaped by deep valleys. Carved into a natural rock mass, the tomb stands about 65 metres above the level of the stream and occupies a point commanding the surrounding valley.

History

The tomb dates to the Hellenistic Period (2nd century BC). In this era, when most of Anatolia was divided among the kingdoms that arose after Alexander the Great, the tradition of monumental tombs carved into rock was a widespread practice in the region. The Kapılıkaya tomb is held to belong to a commander named İkezios. Such monumental tombs were carved into high, visible cliffs for the notables and rulers of the period, serving both as a burial place and as a symbol of prestige.

Architecture and Location

As its name suggests (kapı meaning “door”), the structure has a door-shaped façade carved into the rock. Monumental rock tombs were generally adorned with an architectural pediment, columns, or a door motif worked into a flat rock surface, and they contained a burial chamber within. The steep, elevated position of the tomb made it both difficult to reach and gave it a commanding view over the surrounding valley landscape. This choice of location is in keeping with the Hellenistic conception of monumental tombs as permanent monuments visible from a distance.

Visiting

The Kapılıkaya Monumental Rock Tomb is accessible via the highway between Çorum and Osmancık. Because of the rugged terrain, reaching the area near the tomb requires care. The site attracts visitors both for its archaeological value and for its natural valley scenery.

Among the other historic structures that can be visited around Osmancık are Osmancık Castle (Kandıber Castle) and the Koyun Baba Bridge. For the general historical background of the district, see the article History of Osmancık. As a similar type of structure, the İskilip Rock Tomb is also of interest.