Pediment Type Grave Steles from Safranbolu

A unique pediment-type grave stela from Safranbolu, Turkey, challenges existing archaeological classifications due to its unprecedented size (3.95 m × 2.13 m) and schematic processing on massive blocks. Unlike smaller, fronton-based stelas, this artifact—dated to the 2nd–3rd century AD—features intricate depictions of tools, fruits, and animals, linking it to chamosorion graves in South Paphlagonia. The discovery provides critical insights into Roman-era burial traditions and grave architecture, revealing regional specificity in funerary practices. By comparing this stela with nearby in-situ graves, researchers identified its distinctive 'Pediment Stela' type, offering a rare window into the material culture of ancient Anatolia.

ELIUSUK, M., & CELIKBAS, E. (2018). PEDIMENT TYPE GRAVE STELES FROM SAFRANBOLU. Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi Kültür Envanteri Dergisi, 34–47. https://doi.org/10.22520/tubaked.2018.18.003