Inscribed tomb chamber discovered in the ancient city of Perre, belonging to the Commagene Civilization in Adıyaman

Excavation and cleaning works in the ancient city of Perre, belonging to the Commagene Civilization in Adıyaman, are continuing over an area of approximately 10 decares. During the excavations carried out in the western part of the entrance to the ancient city, a tomb chamber consisting of 3 sections (niches) with a capacity for 18 people was found. It was determined that the discovered tomb chamber is different from the others both in terms of size and the inscription found at the entrance. The inscription on the door of the tomb chamber, which is approximately 30 square meters, states that the tomb belongs to an important person named 'Hilan'.

"THE LARGEST CHAMBER TOMB"

Adıyaman Museum Director Mehmet Alkan said, "In the excavations carried out this year in an area of approximately 10 decares, we identified an important chamber tomb. Unlike the others, this chamber tomb belongs to approximately 18 individuals; there are 6 graves in each of the 3 niches within this tomb. It appears as the largest chamber tomb we have found in the ancient city of Perre so far. Right at the entrance, there is a door stone, and on the upper part, it is written that someone named 'Hilan' is buried here. Of course, this chamber tomb was built in the 1st century B.C., but in its late phase, that is, in the 5th century, someone named 'Hilan' was also buried here. We concluded that the other letters are the initials of the other people buried here. For this reason, the fact that an inscription appeared on the door for the first time makes this tomb, this chamber tomb, significant."