The Monumental Tomb pictured below was built by Commagene’s King Mithradates II and was dedicated to his mother Isas. Because of the symbol of the eagle on the top of the columns, it was named Karakuş (black bird) Tumulus. There were four columns in each east, west and south direction, however today only two at the east, one at the west and one at the south remain. On the east side columns are the remnants of lion and eagle statues, while on the west columns one can make out a relief of ‘shaking hands’ and on the ground remain pieces of a lion statue.
Each of the columns encircling the Karakul Tumulus, with the exception of pedestals, capitals and statues, consists of six marble drums: