The Date of the Destruction of the Early Phrygian Period at Gordion

A reevaluation of the destruction date at Gordion, a significant Phrygian site in central Anatolia, challenges the long-accepted chronology. While radiocarbon dating suggested a destruction around 830–800 BCE, this study argues that the historical reality aligns with earlier estimates of ca. 700 BCE or later. By analyzing artifacts from the destruction level and royal tumuli burials, the research highlights discrepancies in the C14 determination, emphasizing the need for a critical reassessment of Anatolian Iron Age history. This finding impacts the understanding of Gordion's phases, the reign of King Midas, and cultural assignments, necessitating broader revisions in archaeological interpretations.

Muscarella, O. W. (2013). The Date of the Destruction of the Early Phrygian Period at Gordion. Archaeology, Artifacts and Antiquities of the Ancient near East, 569–599. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004236691_020