The Lukeion Project

28/08/2026

40 minutes left to register for autumn semester courses...but who is counting? WE ARE! Huge turn out in registration this year! Thanks all!

28/08/2026

Find Larry at our merch store:
https://lukeion-project.printify.me/products

27/08/2026

27/08/2026

Your favorite Lukeion faculty were working at Troy that year!😘

One of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries connected to the legendary world of Troy was made in 1994 during rescue excavations at the Kızöldün Tumulus near Gümüşçay, in the B**a district of Çanakkale, Türkiye.

The excavations began after authorities received a report of illegal digging at the ancient burial mound. Archaeologists investigating the site uncovered a monumental marble sarcophagus dating to the late 6th century BC, generally placed around 520–500 BC. The discovery is particularly significant because the sarcophagus is considered the earliest known example of a stone sarcophagus with figural scenes discovered in Anatolia.

The monument became known as the Polyxena Sarcophagus because one of its principal reliefs depicts the tragic sacrifice of Polyxena, the daughter of Trojan King Priam and Queen Hecuba. In the mythology surrounding the Trojan War, Polyxena was sacrificed after the death of Achilles, becoming one of the most tragic figures associated with the fall of Troy.

The relief is remarkably detailed, presenting multiple human figures and capturing a dramatic moment from the Trojan legend. The sarcophagus therefore provides an extraordinary visual connection between the mythology of Troy and the artistic traditions of ancient Anatolia.

The object also bears evidence of having been disturbed in antiquity. A hole in its cover indicates that the tomb had already been robbed centuries before its modern discovery. Archaeological research has also established that the Kızöldün Tumulus contained another sarcophagus, making the site particularly important for understanding burial practices in the region.

Today, the Polyxena Sarcophagus is part of the collection of the Troy Museum, where it stands as one of the most important surviving monuments illustrating the enduring influence of the Trojan War in ancient art.

Its discovery in the aftermath of an illegal excavation report is a striking reminder of how archaeological rescue operations can preserve extraordinary pieces of humanity's ancient heritage before they are lost to looting or destruction.

27/08/2026

What would YOU like to see from our merch shop on shirts, hoodies, hats, or mugs?

26/08/2026

Autumn semester registration closes 5 PM ET on Friday! Classes have started already but there's a little tiny bit of time left to jump in now.

Registration opens March 1 each year. Late fees for semester courses added two weeks prior to the start of the semester.

25/08/2026

End your MERCH SEARCH here! We even have PSQ Survival t-shirts and Larry the Dative (iykyk). https://lukeion-project.printify.me/

24/08/2026

First Sassy Peripatetic Blog of the academic year covers one way to safeguard your writing assignments this semester!

When you safely do all the writing and want the proper credit, avoid AI accusations with "Track Changes"

24/08/2026

24/08/2026

We have MERCH!