SAFRANBOLU’DAN ALINLIK TİPLİ BİR MEZAR STELİ

Abstract

Safranbolu today is located in the east of Karabuk province. In ancient period, the city was in the borders of Paphlagonia region, Halys (Kizilirmak) and Pontos region in the east; Parthenios (Bartinsu) or Billaios (Filyos River) and Bithynia in the west; Gangra (Cankiri)and Galatya in the south. The artifact in the shape of a pedimenthas 3,95 m length, 2,13 m height and 0,47 m thickness. It is seen that there is a pig, a patera, olpe-pitcher, diptych, stylus, an open roll, a box whose lock and key part is portrayed, an amphora, a hacksaw blade, a pickaxe, a plow, a basket whose two sides are portrayed with two birds, a fruit basket, grape leaves, and bunches of grapes and a small bird eating grapes from the bunches which was made by scraping technique. The existent figures indicate that this plaque belongs to a grave. The artifact in the shape of a pediment has been evaluated under the title of “Stelas with Frontons” because of its shape and it has also been evaluated in the sub-category of “Stelas whose Tympanon are Nodal” and “Stelas with Cradle Roofed”. However, this pediment was processed schematically on massive blocks in the mentioned stela groups. Furthermore, the size of these stelas are quite small. When these stelas are taken into consideration, it does not suit to the existent classification because it is only made up of fronton and it has an unusual size. In this context, when compared to the other graves nearby the city, it is detected that there is a chamosorion grave in in-situ condition and with the help of this grave it is understood that the artifact belongs to chamosorion grave. Because the similar samples only exist in this region, it is called Pediment Stela in South Paphlagonia type. It is dated back to A.D 2-3 centuries because of the figures on it. Very important data has been gathered about the grave architecture and burial traditions of the region in the Roman Empire Period.