Rock Tombs of Pontic Kings The Tombs of the Kings of Pontus, located in Amasya, northern Turkey, consist of various sized tombs set in a royal necropolis. On April 13, 2014, the site was added to the tentative list in the cultural category of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Royal Necropolis was constructed after Mithridates I established the Kingdom of Pontus in 281 BC. The burial site consists of monumental tombs carved from limestone rock, situated on a hill north of Amaseia (present-day Amasya) and the Yeşilırmak River. The valley houses tombs with large stone chambers. The area is referred to as the "Valley of the Kings" due to its significance as the largest kingdom in northern Anatolia during the Hellenistic period. Of the 21 rock tombs around Amasya, five king tombs located in the "Maidens' Palace" area belong to Mithridates I, Ariobarzanes, Mithridates II, Mithridates III, and Pharnaces I. The rock tombs range in height from 8 to 15 meters (26-49 feet). Three of the five tombs have separate staircases leading up to them, while the other two are accessible via a tunnel and steps. All five tombs can be accessed by a ladder due to their height, and each has columns on its front facade. Three of the tomb fronts have six columns, one has four, and two have two columns. There are three tombs with a column and two without. The tomb known to belong to Pharnaces I measures 15 m x 8 m x 6 m. An inscription above the rock-tomb reads "the phrouarch (commander of the castle) Metrodorus dedicated an altar and a flowerbed for king Pharnaces I, to all gods." Overall, the Tombs of the Kings of Pontus offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of the region and the importance of the Kingdom of Pontus during the Hellenistic period.