Many rescue excavations were done, beginning in 1970, in the tomb room of Kizilbel Tumulus

The archaeological excavations at Karatas-Semayuk, which is one of the many Tumulus on the Elmali Plateau, were made between 1963-75 on behalf of Bryn Mawr College by Prof. Dr. Machteld J. Mellink. The mound is situated 7 km east of Elmali. The main aim of the studies in Semayuk was to research the Bronze Age cultures in Lycia. In addition, the studies in Bagbasi in the same region revealed important information relevant to the late Chalcolitic Age cultures of the region.

Six levels belonging to the Early Bronze Age I, II and III, were determined during the excavations carried out in Semayuk-Karatas. The important architectural findings of the oldest level were of the megaron type houses and the discovery of a big quadrilateral house in a sertain situation. This building was located in an oval yard, with an exterior rampart and interior supporting pillars. Theconstruction material was mud-brick. The levels showed that the buildings were destroyed by fire, etc. but they were in use for a long time with only small changes to their plan.

In the necropolis area which belongs to the Early Bronze Age which is near the mound, lots of large earthenware tomb jars (pithoi) were found, during the excavations at Elmali, Semayuk. The mouth of the jar was closed by a flat smooth stone and the earthenware tomb jar was surrounded by local stones gathered from the fields for its protection. It was determined that, more than one burial were placed in the jar and that various gifts had been added such as: pottery, idols and jewelry. These earthenware pithoi were seal stamped with motifs: swastika, jagged decoration, representations of goat, hut etc, representing daily life.These findings belong to the period 3000 BC and they show similarities with finds from Troy I, II and from Pisidia, although with local differences.

Many rescue excavations were done, beginning in 1970, in the tomb room of Kizilbel Tumulus dating from the 6th century B.C. south-west of Elmali, and in Karaburun Tumulus, dating from the 5th century B.C. to the north-east of Elmali, which were discovered in illegal excavations. These tomb rooms were conserved and restored and then closed to the public, but, conservation studies of the painted walls are carried out periodically.