Kas was probably called Habesos in the Lycian language before it was called Antephellos when under Greek domination. 

Antephellos was the port before the inland city of Phellos. However as a port it flourished with the main source being the export of timber and sponges found in the surrounding waters. The town’s importance led to it being one of the earliest Lycian settlements and a voting member of the Federation.

There is little to be found in the remains of Lycian occupation. Most notable is the 4th. century BC sarcophagus in the centre of the town, this having an inscription in Lycian. It is known locally as the Lion’s tomb.

It consists of three parts, the Hyposorium, plain base and Sarcophagus. On the short end of the lid two figures stand in relief. From eeach side of the lid project two lion’s heads resting on their paws. On the Hyposorium there is a long Lycian inscription. The inscription on the base, some eight lines in the Lycian language has not been translated although it indicates that the city of Habesos was founded in the eighth century BC. The name change probably came about in the fourth century BC. Phellos in Greek means rocky and it is readily apparent when visiting Kas why it was so named.

The local people also call it the King’s sarcophagus.

On a walk up from the centre of the town towards the theatre there are the remains of a small temple. It has been dated to approximately the first century BC, and was probably extended in the third century AD.

The Hellenistic amphitheatre to the west of the town is situated on a high hill overlooking the sea. Whilst it is not cut into the hillside it, whilst being relatively small is in fairly good order and has been used today on occasion! There are 26 rows of seats will standing giving room for an estimated 2000 spectators. Facing the seats there is now an open sanded space currently in use. 

The wall of the cavea appears to have been built in two stages. Some of the ashlar blocks being very large whilst others, nearer the lower [part of the theatre of small ashlar blocks. It may be that at sometime in antiquity and earthquake caused some damage and the re-build was necessary.

In the vicinity of the amphitheatre are numerous tombs, suggesting that this was also the necropolis for the town. Of these tombs particular notice should be made of one names “The Doric Tomb”. It appears that the entrance had a sliding door and inside the tomb are benches on the three inner sides. The bench at the back is decorated by a small freeze of some 25 small dancing figures holding hands, the significance of this is not readily apparent.

Another important tomb is one where the upper part is ogf Gothic architecture where there are two inscriptions. One being in Lycian, the other in Latin showing that the tomb was re-used by one Claudia Recepta.

Elsewhere the principal remains of earlier civilisations are various rock tombs to be seen on the hillsides above the town. Some are practically invisible being covered by the dense growth of shrubs

However there are some rock tombs in a cliff face above the town but inaccessible to the ordinary viewer!

During the centuries there have been many changes in the town, for example the conversion of a church to a mosque.

On the road above the harbour a café has an ornate Hellenistic tomb cover as a table. There must be many examples of re-sed material from Greek and Roman times in and around the town.

A recent discovery has been, near the sea wall a cistern. This must have been in use for some thousands of years, now for olive oil storage.

Elsewhere there has been some incongruous re-location of sarcophagi!