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A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
AA Photo
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
The Adam Kayalar (man-rocks), located on the sheer slopes of the Şeytan Deresi Valley in the southern province of Mersin, often take visitors by surprise with their large-scale human reliefs, which are estimated to have been made between the first century B.C. and the second century A.D. AA Photo
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
The rocks are made up of 11 males, four females, two children, an ibex and Roman eagle reliefs in nine niches. Ümit Aydınoğlu, an associate professor in the Archaeology Department of Mersin University, said the Adam Kayalar are completely unique in Anatolia. AA Photo
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
As the Adam Kayalar region was once considered a sacred area, the reliefs of notables or commanders’ families and children were made on the rocks to show appreciation. AA Photo
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
“Nowhere else has so many reliefs in Anatolia. Maybe there are many works from other cultures, but it is not possible to find an area with so many reliefs,” Aydınoğlu said. Rock graves were made according to the traditions of the era, Aydınoğlu said, adding that they had survived until today because of the particular geographical conditions of the region. AA Photo
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
The reliefs are thought to have been made over the course of around 250 years. “As it was considered a sacred area, reliefs were made on the rocks over many years, so you can see the many stylistic changes of the figures,” Aydınoğlu said. AA Photo
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
AA Photo
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
AA Photo
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
AA Photo
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
AA photo
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
AA Photo
A hidden treasure in the Mediterranean: The 'Man rocks'
AA Photo
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