A view of the west terrace.
The tumulus of stone chips, some 45-50 m in height, has been reduced from its estimated original 60 m due to weathering, previous uncontrolled research investigations and climbing by visitors (which is now forbidden). The interior layout of the funerary mound remains unknown, despite numerous attempts to locate the dromos (corridor) and the funeral chamber (supposing they are present).
Five giant seated limestone statues, identified by their inscriptions as deities, face outwards from the tumulus on the upper level of the terrace. On this west terrace, they are severely damaged. The gods are flanked by a pair of guardian animal statues – a lion and eagle – at each end. All the heads of the statues have fallen off to the lower level.
On this picture: the heads of Apollo-Mithra-Helios-Hermes (left) and the goddess Commagene-Tyche (right). The multiple names of the gods indicating their syncretic Greek-Persian nature.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: File 448: ‘Nemrut Dağı’ – World Heritage List, Unesco (see: whc.unesco.org) .
& Personal visits (1983, 1987, 1994).