Phellos is situated on the Felen Plateau at an elevation of approximately 850 m, north of Kaş (ancient Antiphellos), which served as the city’s port settlement. The site occupies a narrow, elongated ridge commanding extensive views stretching to the coastline.
Survey work conducted at the unexcavated site indicates that its earliest occupation dates to the 7th century BCE. At the height of its power during the dynastic period, Phellos was the most important stronghold in the region between Xanthos and Myra. Although the city was at times under the control of dynasts from Xanthos and Limyra, it remained largely independent and minted coins in its own name from the 5th century BCE onward. The Lycian name of the city appears as Wehnti on coins issued during the dynastic period.
In later periods, the port settlement of Antiphellos developed into a larger and independent city; nevertheless, Phellos continued to be inhabited into the Byzantine period, supplying agricultural and forestry products to support the port trade of Antiphellos. The extant fortification walls incorporate construction phases ranging from the dynastic to the Byzantine period. Of the approximately 130 tombs identified at the site, the majority date to the dynastic period. Several of these, executed in the characteristic Lycian style—some bearing Lycian inscriptions—are among the best-preserved monuments of the city.
References:
Başgelen, N. (ed.) 2005. Lycian Journal 1892 – Ernst Krickl, Archaeology and Art Publication, İstanbul.
Benndorf, O. & G. Niemann. 1884. Reisen in Lykien und Karien (Reisen im südwestlichen Kleinasien I), Wien.
Çevik, N. 2021. Lykia Kitabı: Arkeolojisi, Tarihi ve Kültürüyle Batı Antalya, Türk Tarih Kurumu, Ankara.
Spratt, T. A. B. & E. Forbes. 1847. Travels in Lycia, Milyas and Cibyratis, London.
Texier, C. 1849. Description de l’Asie Mineure, Vol.3, Paris.
Tietz, W. 2016. “Central Lycia: Kyaneai, Phellos, Kekova”, in From Lukka to Lycia: The Land of Sarpedon and St. Nicholas, eds. H. İşkan & E. Dündar, 362-373, İstanbul.
Zimmermann, M. 2005. “Feldforschungen in Phellos (Lykien) 2004”, AST 22.1, 63-68.
Images:
T. A. B. Spratt & E. Forbes, 1847
C. Texier, 1849
O. Benndorf & G. Niemann, 1884
N. Başgelen, 2005
Tietz, 2016 (Tübinger Lykienproject)
Tayfun Bilgin, 2022, 2025
Bora Bilgin, 2022, 2023, 2025
Reha Özer, 2023