Researchers in Turkey have uncovered a 2,800-year-old royal tomb thought to be associated with the legendary King Midas.

Turkish Culture Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the discovery of the tomb in the ancient city of Gordion, southwest of the capital Ankara.

The eighth-century BC burial mound contained cremated human remains and dozens of bronze artefacts belonging to what archaeologists believe was a member of the Phrygian royal family, to which Midas belonged.

"Based on these artefacts, we estimate that the person in the tomb chamber may be a member of the royal family associated with Gordion and Midas," Ersoy said at a news conference.

Turkish Culture Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the discovery

Researchers in the ancient city of Gordion turfed up cremated human remains and dozens of bronze artefacts

The tomb measures approximately 26 feet in height and 200 feet in diameter, and is the 47th such mound excavated at Gordion.

Located near the famous "Midas Mound" - one of more than 120 burial mounds at the site - this discovery marks the oldest cremation burial found at Gordion to date.

"This shows the burial customs of the Phrygians," said archaeologist Yucel Senyurt, co-director of the Gordion excavation.

He added that the find "clearly shows us that the person buried here was not an ordinary person".

While the proximity to Midas's own mound suggests a close connection to the royal family.

Located near the famous 'Midas Mound' (pictured), this discovery marks the oldest cremation burial found at Gordion to date

The wooden burial chamber measured 10.2 by 9.2 feet and contained dozens of bronze artefacts, including cauldrons and jugs.

Some of these items were still hanging from iron nails on the chamber walls when discovered.

"These artefacts that we have unearthed are the most concentrated group after the findings in the previously excavated Midas Mound," Ersoy said.

C. Brian Rose, the co-director of the Gordion excavation and an archaeologist at the University of Pennsylvania, hailed the significance of the find.

"It's possible that it belonged to someone in Midas's family because his tumulus is nearby," he said.

"What's really interesting is that it's a cremation burial - this is the only example from the 8th century [at the site]."

Gordion was ruled in the eighth century BC by King Gordias, followed by his son Midas (pictured)

Gordion served as the capital of the Phrygian kingdom from 1200 to 675 BC. The city was ruled in the eighth century BC by King Gordias, associated with the famous Gordian knot, which Alexander the Great would later cut, followed by his son Midas, renowned for the mythical golden touch.

The newly discovered artefacts are now at the Gordion Museum for conservation and restoration before public display.

And despite 75 years of ongoing excavations at the site, much remains unexplored.

"The area that has not yet been excavated is much larger than the area that has been excavated," Senyurt noted, suggesting many more discoveries could still lie in wait.