Conserving the tomb chamber complex in the Midas Mound at Gordion in Turkey

The Midas Tomb chamber complex at Gordion, Turkey, stands as the earliest known standing wooden building globally. This unique timber structure, measuring 5.15 m by 6.20 m—nearly twice the size of the second-largest excavated wooden tomb at Gordion—relies on corner joinery and lateral earth pressure for stability. To prevent structural damage, archaeologists implemented a stabilization strategy involving three wooden posts to support the beams, addressing the challenge of removing lateral earth pressure without compromising the structure's integrity. This conservation effort, analyzed from a structural engineering perspective, highlights innovative approaches to preserving ancient timber architecture while maintaining its historical significance.

Biggs, D., Liebhart, R., & Gönen, S. (2016). Conserving the tomb chamber complex in the Midas Mound at Gordion in Turkey. Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions: Anamnesis, Diagnosis, Therapy, Controls, 963–969. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315616995-130