Letoon — Temple North Altar (Xanthos Valley, Lycia)
Λητῶον · Letoon Altar N
Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)·Multi-period temple culture·🇹🇷 Muğla, Letoon, Turkey
About
About Letoon — Temple North Altar (Xanthos Valley, Lycia)
Letoon — Temple North Altar (Xanthos Valley, Lycia) in Muğla, Letoon, Turkey is a Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE) temple complex attributed to Multi-period temple culture. Systematic survey and magnetometry document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal necropolis and domestic quarter. Dimensions temple 32 m × 18 m; court 45 m × 30 m; area 28.5 ha. Excavation unexcavated; condition ruins. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Multi-period temple culture temple-complex with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 5 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and labor organization
- 02Relation to regional network
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Ceremonial centre
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1500 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Multi-period temple culture
- Purpose
- Temple and sanctuary complex
- Rediscovered
- 2008
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
c. 1500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1135 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1958
Antiquarian record, modern excavation from 1960s
c. 1572 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
36.3300° N · 29.2900° E · 5 m · 4 mapped features
Main Temple Cella
cellaMain Temple Cella at Letoon — Temple North Altar (Xanthos Valley, Lycia) — cella with stratified deposits
36.3291° N · 29.2910° ENorth Court Ancillary
courtNorth Court Ancillary at Letoon — Temple North Altar (Xanthos Valley, Lycia) — court with stratified deposits
36.3320° N · 29.2904° EPylon Gate
pylonPylon Gate at Letoon — Temple North Altar (Xanthos Valley, Lycia) — pylon with stratified deposits
36.3322° N · 29.2901° EAltar Platform
altarAltar Platform at Letoon — Temple North Altar (Xanthos Valley, Lycia) — altar with stratified deposits
36.3322° N · 29.2895° E