Digging up the archives: a reassessment of burial practices in the cemeteries from the Extra muros basilica Sector at Histria

Abstract

The article is based on the recovery and reinterpretation of archaeological data from the Nubar Hamparțumian archival fonds found at the “ Vasile Pârvan” Institute of Archaeology in Bucharest. The documents contain information about 74 burials discovered by the archaeologist during the 1961– 1964 excavations at the “ Extra muros basilica” sector from Histria. By gathering information on each grave, a more systematic and detailed analysis was possible. All osteological material was anthropologically analysed in order to increase the amount of meaningful information on which our analysis is based. A necessary historical narrative was provided in an attempt to discuss the changes that took place in the topography of the city and the way in which the funerary space is organized. Based on our observations, a grave typology comprising five types was constructed. Different possible relationships between variables were explored (e. g. between funerary structures and grave goods, sex, age and grave goods) as a means to gain knowledge about burial practices during Late Antiquity (from the 4th to the 7th century AD) at the ancient city of Histria

Keywords

• old excavations
• funerary archaeology
• scythia minor
• late antiquity