Roman Cemetery Research Articles

Ritual and Interpretation in Provincial Roman Cemeteries

Ritual and Interpretation in Provincial Roman Cemeteries

Roman and Early Christian burial-complex at Leptiminus: first notice

Following the rescue excavation of part of the Roman cemetery and a Roman mausoleum (Site 200) on Dhahret Slama, on the SE edge of the ancient town of Leptiminus on the east coast of Tunisia, the continued pressure of modern building led to the discovery of a remarkably well preserved underground burial-complex, as well a considerable extension of the above-ground cemetery which we had previously sampled. The underground burial-complex includes a number of tunnels and chambers, undoubtedly part of a much larger area of catacombs. These underground structures are cut into the sandstone and limestone ridge known as the Formation Rejiche which runs along the coast.3 This geological formation was suitable for the cutting of Punic-type chambers, of which a number have been located on this side of Leptiminus, and for catacombs, of which other examples have been identified in the same region, at Sousse, Sullecthum, and probably Thapsus.The existence of underground structures became clear following enquiries made of local residents, who spoke of substructures and vaults beneath their houses. Residents noted that after heavy rains water vanished rapidly into the ground; we now realize that it disappears into the underground voids of built or carved structures.

Two decapitations from Roman Towcester

AbstractTwo young adult males from a Roman cemetery at Towcester show unambiguous evidence of decapitation In one, the skull had been placed over the lower legs, and in the other, the skull was in its correct anatomical position. The significance of this variation and the reasons for decapitation are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Earliest malaria DNA found in Roman baby graveyard.

experts are helping archaeologists to work out what caused the of 47 babies whose bodies have been unearthed together in a 5th-century outside Rome. The experts think the tiny skeletons--including the bones of 22 miscarried fetuses--may have been victims of Plasmodium falciparum an extremely virulent form of the organism that causes malaria. The Roman site could mark the northern edge of P. falciparums penetration into Europe. The archaeologists who excavated the site led by David Soren of the University of Arizona in Tuscon are intrigued by its unusual configuration. The at Lugnano Umbria was created in a ruined villa. The bones were found at different depths with more at higher levels. This is not the normal burial pattern for a Roman cemetery says Soren. There were also signs of witchcraft at the burial site including puppy skeletons perhaps meant to ward off demons thought to cause disease. Study of the soil between the remains indicates that all the babies were buried within a few weeks. Medics suggest a epidemic as the cause of the deaths. The honeycomb pattern of many of the bones suggests anemia a symptom of and severe is implied in the eras literature. Malaria is the most logical explanation for the deaths says Mario Coluzzi a parasitologist at the University of Rome. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) studies due to be published next month in Ancient Biomolecules show the presence of P. falciparum DNA in the bones of the oldest infant-- the earliest DNA ever identified. This is by no means proof that the cause of the infants death was malaria says Robert Sallares of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology UK who led the DNA study but it allows it to remain a contender. (full text)

An "Orphic-Dionysiac" Gold Epistomion from Sfakaki near Rethymno

Editio pnnceps of the inscription on a gold epistomion that was found in a Roman cemetery in Sfakaki-Rethymnon. The new text is studied in relation to the eleven gold lamellae inscribed with a few words, which represent a group within the Orphic-Dionysiac lamellae, and whose brief narrative form may have been conditioned by rules of secrecy. In the series of the Orphic-Dionysiac lamellae, it is only the second text — the other one is also from Crete — in which both Pluton and Persephone are addressed. Pluton's presence is not a conflation of 'Orphic' beliefs with some local cult in Eleutherna, but with a general tradition, as the narrative scenes on the Apulian krater, now in Toledo, suggest, and it may indicate a next stage in the initiate's Underworld journey. The provenance of the epistomion indicates that during the late Hellenistic and Roman periods an "Orphic- Dionysiac" cult existed in the wider area of Eleutherna, to the north of Mt. Ida, in which the other seven Cretan lamellae were also found.

Grants in Aid of Research: Roman cemeteries and funerary monuments

Grants in Aid of Research: Roman cemeteries and funerary monuments

Excavations of Roman and Later Cemeteries, Churches and Monastic Sites in Colchester, 1971-88

Excavations of Roman and Later Cemeteries, Churches and Monastic Sites in Colchester, 1971-88

Caerleon Lodge Hill Cemetery: The Abbeyfield Site 1992

In 1990 the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust was approached by Gwent Health Authority with respect to the archaeological potential of the areas of three developments proposed in the grounds of St Cadoc's Hospital on Lodge Hill, Caerleon. These were a College of Nursing and Midwifery at ST 3344 9095, a sheltered housing development to be built by the Abbeyfield (Gwent) Extra Care Society at ST 3280 9097, and a housing estate on an area centred at ST 3283 9090. All three lay within the area of the Lodge Hill Roman cemetery, close to where a cremation and two tombstones ( RIB 358 and 392) had been found in 1909 and a sculptured head of Attis in 1972 (see FIGS 1-2). The sheltered housing scheme had already received outline permission. At the same time a watching-brief was being carried out on the widening of Pil-bach Road and the insertion of a new sewer adjacent to the Abbeyfield site.

A skull wound and possible trepanation from a Roman Cemetery at Baldock, Hertfordshire

A skull wound and possible trepanation from a Roman Cemetery at Baldock, Hertfordshire

Recent Excavations of a Cemetery of 'Londinium'

Since 1983 the Museum of London's Department of Greater London Archaeology has completed nine rescue excavations (HGS. I and 2) and numerous watching briefs in advance of redevelopment within the area of the Roman cemetery to the east of the City of London. The excavations have uncovered 104 cremations and 575 inhumations, dating from the first to the fifth centuries A.D. This article is intended to make known some of the initial results in advance of full publication.The cemetery lay on a gravel terrace 600–700 m north of the River Thames. The geology of the area consists of sands and gravels, locally overlain by brickearth. The cemetery was typical of urban Roman cemeteries, sited beyond the city limits and adjacent to a road from the city. It extended at least 600 m to the east of the city wall and covered an area of over 16.5 ha.

Fine Metalwork from the Roman Cemetery at Stansted Airport, Essex Tinning and High Tin Alloys

AbstractThe early Roman cemetery discovered during the construction of London's third airport at Stansted contains the richest Roman burials discovered in Britain this century. The grave goods included a quantity of fine metalwork which forms te subject of this paper. The construction, alloys and finish of the pieces are described and discussed. Tin-plating and niello inlays are identified and described as is the analysis of corroded lead-tin solders and pewter. The manufacture of a high-tin bronze mirror is also discussed.

A Roman Legionary Helmet found in Poland

The excavations of the Late La Tene, Early Roman cemetery (1st century B.C./2nd-3rd centuries A.D.), carried out by the author at Siemiechow on the Warta river in July 1982 revealed a grave (designated by No. 25) whose inventory has caused a real sensation. Most of the 39 cremation graves so far uncovered on site 2 at Siemiechow were richly furnished with weapons showing Celtic influences and with pottery indicating contacts between the Warta lands and the territories occupied by the Germanic Marcomanni. Bronze brooches are probably derived from the Roman province Noricum. A miniature representation of an iron shield is a unique find. The shield though of Celtic origin is dated by a fragmentary comb of rudimentary construction to the 2nd century A.D. Attention is also claimed by a set of miniature tools and various articles dated to the early 1st century A.D.

INTRUSIVE BURIAL GROUPS IN THE LATE ROMAN CEMETERY AT LANKHILLS, WINCHESTER—A REASSESSMENT OF THE EVIDENCE1

SummaryThis paper examines the evidence brought forward by the excavator to support his hypothesis that foreign ethnic groups were buried in the late Roman cemetery at Lankhills, Winchester, and that these groups are identifiable from their burial rites. The report is reassessed within the pattern of diversity which is the demonstrable norm of burial practice worldwide. The value of strongly theoretical explanations of funerary layout is questioned in the light of case‐studies where historical sources add an otherwise unavailable dimension to the context of the known archaeological data.

Arthritis in Roman Britain.

The pattern of arthritis in Roman Britain was investigated by examining the skeletons of 416 adults from the Roman cemetery at Poundbury Camp near Dorchester, Dorset. The mean height of the people was not much less than that of the current British population, and the prevalence of right handedness was similar to our own. There was a high prevalence of osteoarthritis for such a relatively young community, with particularly severe changes in the vertebral column. The pattern of joints affected by osteoarthritis was different from that seen now, but the prevalence of vertebral ankylosing hyperostosis was much the same. Rheumatoid arthritis was seen as often as the expected rat would indicate, given that the population died young, but it was rare. Other forms of arthritis, including gout and ankylosing spondylitis, were not seen.

The Roman Cemetery at Lankhills

Outside the north gate ofVenta Belgarum , Roman Winchester, a great cementary stretched for 500 yards along the road to Cirencester. Excavations at Lankhills from 1967 to 1972 uncovered 451 graves, many elaborately furnished, at the northern limits of this cemetery, and dating from the fourth century A.D. This book, the second in a two-part study of iVenta Belgarum, which forms the third volume of Winchester Studies, describes the excavations of these burials and analyses in detail both the graves and their contents - perhaps the richest single group of fourth century objects yet found in Britain. There are detailed studies and important re-assessments of many categories of object, but it is the information about late Roman burial, religion, and society which is of special interest.

A Roman Chamber Tomb on the South-east slopes of Monasteriaki Kephala, Knossos

In November 1978 the British School was requested by the Herakleion Ephorate to investigate a suspected chamber tomb in the Knossos Roman cemetery on the south-eastern slopes of Monasteriaki Kephala. The writer, then Knossos Fellow, undertook the excavation on behalf of the School. The tomb proved to be unpillaged; its contents were of unusual interest, not least among them being a large, closely datable group of glass vessels.

A Study of Grave Orientation in several Roman and post-Roman Cemeteries from Southern Britain

(1982). A Study of Grave Orientation in several Roman and post-Roman Cemeteries from Southern Britain. Archaeological Journal: Vol. 139, No. 1, pp. 101-123.

Roman Cemeteries on the Territory of Pecs (Sopianae)

Roman Cemeteries on the Territory of Pecs (Sopianae)

Excavations at Winchester, 1971: Tenth and Final Interim Report: Part II

SummaryThe excavations of 1971 concluded the eleven-year programme begun in 1961. Eight sites were investigated in a season whose main emphasis was on the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods down to about A. D. 1000. The Iron Age defences were examined at Assize Courts North and shown to date to the mid first century B.C. The Roman defences were sectioned at Castle Yard. The Roman south gate was discovered and its development followed from c. A.D. 70. Inside the Roman city extensive areas were examined at Lower Brook Street and Wolvesey Palace. At the former a possible military phase of the mid first century A.D. was followed by urban development c. A.D. 70 which continued down into the fifth century and included a Romano-Celtic temple and a large late third- or fourth-century workshop. At Wolvesey one house was entirely excavated and parts of two others examined. At Lankhills the excavation of the late Roman cemetery was concluded with a further season in 1972. A total of about 450 graves, many of them furnished and ranging in date from c. A.D. 310 to the early fifth century, was examined in 1967–72. A small fourth-century cemetery was excavated at Winnall. Information about the defence of the late Roman town was provided by the discovery of a bastion added to the town wall at South Gate, and by the implications of structures and objects from Lower Brook Street, Wolvesey, and Lankhills. Important evidence for the state of Winchester in the fifth to ninth centuries was recovered from South Gate, Lower Brook Street, and Wolvesey. At South Gate the gate was blocked first by a ditch and then by a wall, probably in the eighth century.

Popular movements and late Roman cemeteries

Abstract This paper is a theoretical discussion of how popular movements can be recognized in archaeology, with special reference to the late Roman period in north‐western Europe. It argues that funerary practice, and in particular grave‐furnishing, have properties inherent in them that make them peculiarly worthy of study in this connection. It illustrates this proposition with examples drawn from the late Roman cemetery at Lankhills, Winchester.