Tymnessos is located along the Elmalı–Kalkan road, north of Bezirgan village, at a strategic position controlling the mountain pass between Kaş, Elmalı, and Kınık. The city is referred to as Tuminehi in Lycian sources. Its port settlement, Etrituminehi (Artymnessos), is thought to have been located at present-day Kalkan.
An ancient road, approaching from the south and passing to the east of the acropolis hill, continues northward toward the mountain pass. The acropolis hill was enclosed by fortification walls; however, no specific architectural structures have yet been identified within it. A separate fortified structure, possibly a castle, is situated approximately 300 meters above the acropolis.
Most of the burial remains are distributed along this road. Numerous pigeonhole-type rock-cut tombs are visible on the east-facing cliffs of the acropolis. The most notable funerary monument is a house-type rock-cut tomb, richly decorated with reliefs, located at the southernmost end of the ancient road. Rock-cut chambers situated to the left of the northern passage are dated to the dynastic period. According to Borchhardt, one of these may have functioned as a nymphaeum, while the other likely served as a cult area dedicated to Apollo and Artemis.
Another monument attributed to the dynastic period is a pillar tomb featuring a niche on its steep face. Based on the presence of this niche, Borchhardt suggests that it may have functioned as a cenotaph. To date, no systematic excavations have been conducted at Tymnessos.
References:
Benndorf, O. & G. Niemann. 1884. Reisen in Lykien und Karien (Reisen im südwestlichen Kleinasien I), Wien.
Borchhardt, J., G. Neumann & K. Schultz. 2003. “Tuminehi/Tymnessos,” Adalya VI, 21–90.
Çevik, N. 2021. Lykia Kitabı: Arkeolojisi, Tarihi ve Kültürüyle Batı Antalya, Türk Tarih Kurumu, Ankara.
Images:
O. Benndorf & G. Niemann, 1884
J. Borchhardt et al., 2003
Bora Bilgin, 2022, 2023
Reha Özer, 2022,2023