Pontic Rock Tombs of Amasya

The Tombs of the kings of Pontus, located in Amasya, northern Turkey, are rock-carved tombs of different sizes, forming the royal necropolis of the Pontic kings [1]. The royal necropolis is located on the southern hillside of the 272 m-high Mount Harşena north of the city Amasya and the river Yeşilırmak [1]. The monumental king tombs are carved in limestone rock formation after Mithridates I established the Kingdom of Pontus and made Amaseia the capital city [1]. The tombs contain big stone grave chambers inside [1]. Five king tombs are situated in the Maidens' Palace area and belong to Mithridates I (died 266 BC), Ariobarzanes (died 250 BC), Mithridates II (died c. 210 BC), Mithridates III (died c. 190 BC) and Pharnaces I (c. 155 BC) [1]. There are nine more rock-tombs inside the Amasya Fortress on the slope of the Mt. Harşena [1]. The rock tombs are 8 to 15 m high [1].