LETOON (Kumluova)

It is 50 kms. from Fethiye. Arriving at Kimk on the Fethiye-Kas highway, about 1 km. later a road turns off towards the south. Lettoon is located 4 kms. after the branchoff. The archaeological excavations were started in 1962 by a French team headed by Henry Metzger. It is estimated that the first settlement in the area dates back to the seventh century B.C. During the secoricj century A. D., in addition to aids received from the Romans, wealthy Lycians also contributed to the develeopment of the city. Fairgrounds and sports were in great fashion during the Roman period. In ] 838, Captain Beafort sent an envoy to Xanthos to cart movable, pieces to the British Museum. In 1842, H.M.S. Beacon, of the British naval force doing research in the Aegean Sea, cast anchor at Makri during the months of January and February, under orders to assist Fellows in his work and to transport the items discovered at Xanthos to Great Britain. At that time Spratt prepared a map of Lycia. The sailors of the

Beacon under the command of Captain Spratt worked. for two months, packing and loading all the reliefs as well as some architectural pieces and sculptures. In the end 70 cases of sculptures .inscriptions and archaeological pieces were transported from Patara to London by a warship.

Today hundreds of pieces stand damaged and incomplete on the site. Even after the pillaging for the benefit of the British Museum, the remains of the city stiil attract scholars. J. T. Sodini, heading the excavations on the site since 1970, unearthed wall paintings and vast mosaics. C, Texier writes about the site as follows: "The circumference of the square fortress, on top of a hill, is seventy meters. There is a small temple in the west of the city. Thedheater is 'dated 'to the second century, above which there are -two Lycian monuments. In the northwestern part of the agora, the Xanthos inscription stands. At the north of the city there is the Pajava sarcophagus, the most significant pieces of which was taken to England."

Among the coins or Xanthos, on some of those minted during the years 200-168 B.C. there is the figure of Apollon decorated with garlands.' From the coins and incriptions of Xanthos, if is ascertained that there is a cult here of Apollon, together with Leto and Artemis. Xanthosis undoubtedly the city looted the most.

More information about Lycian Sites.