Photo Gallery: Antioch Artifacts

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The "Antakya Sarcophagus," a columnar sarcophagus of the Sidamara series (a group of similar sarcophagi named for examples found in Sidamara, halfway between Ephesus and Antioch).

It was discovered very recently, in 1993, during construction in Antakya along the axis of the ancient colonnaded street immediately outside the Daphne Gate and the walls of Tiberius (see Antioch map). It was recently put on display in the Hatay Archaeological Museum.

Inside the marble casket were burial gifts of gold coins from the reigns of Gordianus III (238-44 AD) and Gallienus and his wife Cornelia Saloninia (253-68), as well as some women's jewelry. This was one of the rare burial sites to escape ancient looters.

The sarcophagus is of massive dimensions and is also remarkable for the quality of its marble (perhaps from Aphrodisias) and the skill of its carving. Like the other Sidamara-type sarcophagi, this was meant to be free-standing and was accordingly carved on all four sides.

On the short end is a scene of sacrifice; on the long side the deceased couple sit at either end with other figures between them. On the lid, the deceased couple recline on a couch. (More detailed photos of the sarcophagus follow this one.)

Sidamara-type sarcophagus, third century AD, Antioch. Marble. Antakya Museum, inv. 18153. Photo © Dick Osseman. Information from Antioch: The Lost Ancient City, p. 102.