Rome, Constantinople, and Newly-Converted Europe: Archaeological and Historical Evidence, Sep 2012
Abstract. Burial practices in Byzantine Greece: archaeological evidence and methodological proble... more Abstract. Burial practices in Byzantine Greece: archaeological evidence and methodological problems for its interpretation. The spread of Christianity across the Byzantine Empire has been mainly studied through research on monumental architecture and burial. Burial customs used in mainland Greece and the Aegean during the Early Byzantine period (4th-7th century) gradually move away from pagan funerary customs. In the archaeological record, we can see a movement of burials from the traditional extramural cemeteries towards the intramural area, due
to a gradual preference for burials in close proximity to Christian churches. Christian burials adopt a definite orientation and position of the body, while deposition of grave goods gradually
vanishes. Christian symbols usually appear only as depicted images, either on the walls of the graves, or on oil-lamps and other objects which were used during the funerary ritual. In the majority of the cases, when such symbols are not present, the distinction between pagan and Christian graves may be difficult or even impossible. During the traditional period, the so-called “Dark Ages” (7th-9th century), the new burial customs have been fully adopted in the urban centres, where Christianity has been established. However, the predominance of evidence of Byzantine urban vs. rural cemeteries in the archaeological record may produce a distorted image concerning religious belief and mortuary practices. The present paper includes evidence from some urban and rural cemeteries, as well as from a Slavic
cemetery in Olympia, thus aiming to provide a varied picture of burial practices.
Burial habits of the Middle Byzantine period (10th-12th century) are archaeologically invisible to a high degree. Middle Byzantine burials often lack satisfactory dating methods; this, in combination with poor publication of graves of this period, creates problems in the discussion of the evolution of mortuary customs. Published cemeteries of this period show, however, a preference for the creation of cemeteries in abandoned urban areas (such as the ancient or Roman forum) and a tendency for burial inside churches. Usual burial finds of this period are ceramic vessels, jewellery, and coins. Crosses and reliquaries are rather rare, but they do appear in a few cases.
The present paper presents a number of well documented cemeteries of Byzantine Greece and discusses issues of interpretation and chronology. While many of these issues need further thorough research, it becomes apparent that comparison with evidence from other countries, both within and beyond the limits of the Byzantine Empire, can only enhance our understanding
of funerary tradition and practices.
Rome, Constantinople, and Newly-Converted Europe: Archaeological and Historical Evidence, Sep 2012
Abstract. Burial practices in Byzantine Greece: archaeological evidence and methodological proble... more Abstract. Burial practices in Byzantine Greece: archaeological evidence and methodological problems for its interpretation. The spread of Christianity across the Byzantine Empire has been mainly studied through research on monumental architecture and burial. Burial customs used in mainland Greece and the Aegean during the Early Byzantine period (4th-7th century) gradually move away from pagan funerary customs. In the archaeological record, we can see a movement of burials from the traditional extramural cemeteries towards the intramural area, due
to a gradual preference for burials in close proximity to Christian churches. Christian burials adopt a definite orientation and position of the body, while deposition of grave goods gradually
vanishes. Christian symbols usually appear only as depicted images, either on the walls of the graves, or on oil-lamps and other objects which were used during the funerary ritual. In the majority of the cases, when such symbols are not present, the distinction between pagan and Christian graves may be difficult or even impossible. During the traditional period, the so-called “Dark Ages” (7th-9th century), the new burial customs have been fully adopted in the urban centres, where Christianity has been established. However, the predominance of evidence of Byzantine urban vs. rural cemeteries in the archaeological record may produce a distorted image concerning religious belief and mortuary practices. The present paper includes evidence from some urban and rural cemeteries, as well as from a Slavic
cemetery in Olympia, thus aiming to provide a varied picture of burial practices.
Burial habits of the Middle Byzantine period (10th-12th century) are archaeologically invisible to a high degree. Middle Byzantine burials often lack satisfactory dating methods; this, in combination with poor publication of graves of this period, creates problems in the discussion of the evolution of mortuary customs. Published cemeteries of this period show, however, a preference for the creation of cemeteries in abandoned urban areas (such as the ancient or Roman forum) and a tendency for burial inside churches. Usual burial finds of this period are ceramic vessels, jewellery, and coins. Crosses and reliquaries are rather rare, but they do appear in a few cases.
The present paper presents a number of well documented cemeteries of Byzantine Greece and discusses issues of interpretation and chronology. While many of these issues need further thorough research, it becomes apparent that comparison with evidence from other countries, both within and beyond the limits of the Byzantine Empire, can only enhance our understanding
of funerary tradition and practices.
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to a gradual preference for burials in close proximity to Christian churches. Christian burials adopt a definite orientation and position of the body, while deposition of grave goods gradually
vanishes. Christian symbols usually appear only as depicted images, either on the walls of the graves, or on oil-lamps and other objects which were used during the funerary ritual. In the majority of the cases, when such symbols are not present, the distinction between pagan and Christian graves may be difficult or even impossible. During the traditional period, the so-called “Dark Ages” (7th-9th century), the new burial customs have been fully adopted in the urban centres, where Christianity has been established. However, the predominance of evidence of Byzantine urban vs. rural cemeteries in the archaeological record may produce a distorted image concerning religious belief and mortuary practices. The present paper includes evidence from some urban and rural cemeteries, as well as from a Slavic
cemetery in Olympia, thus aiming to provide a varied picture of burial practices.
Burial habits of the Middle Byzantine period (10th-12th century) are archaeologically invisible to a high degree. Middle Byzantine burials often lack satisfactory dating methods; this, in combination with poor publication of graves of this period, creates problems in the discussion of the evolution of mortuary customs. Published cemeteries of this period show, however, a preference for the creation of cemeteries in abandoned urban areas (such as the ancient or Roman forum) and a tendency for burial inside churches. Usual burial finds of this period are ceramic vessels, jewellery, and coins. Crosses and reliquaries are rather rare, but they do appear in a few cases.
The present paper presents a number of well documented cemeteries of Byzantine Greece and discusses issues of interpretation and chronology. While many of these issues need further thorough research, it becomes apparent that comparison with evidence from other countries, both within and beyond the limits of the Byzantine Empire, can only enhance our understanding
of funerary tradition and practices.
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to a gradual preference for burials in close proximity to Christian churches. Christian burials adopt a definite orientation and position of the body, while deposition of grave goods gradually
vanishes. Christian symbols usually appear only as depicted images, either on the walls of the graves, or on oil-lamps and other objects which were used during the funerary ritual. In the majority of the cases, when such symbols are not present, the distinction between pagan and Christian graves may be difficult or even impossible. During the traditional period, the so-called “Dark Ages” (7th-9th century), the new burial customs have been fully adopted in the urban centres, where Christianity has been established. However, the predominance of evidence of Byzantine urban vs. rural cemeteries in the archaeological record may produce a distorted image concerning religious belief and mortuary practices. The present paper includes evidence from some urban and rural cemeteries, as well as from a Slavic
cemetery in Olympia, thus aiming to provide a varied picture of burial practices.
Burial habits of the Middle Byzantine period (10th-12th century) are archaeologically invisible to a high degree. Middle Byzantine burials often lack satisfactory dating methods; this, in combination with poor publication of graves of this period, creates problems in the discussion of the evolution of mortuary customs. Published cemeteries of this period show, however, a preference for the creation of cemeteries in abandoned urban areas (such as the ancient or Roman forum) and a tendency for burial inside churches. Usual burial finds of this period are ceramic vessels, jewellery, and coins. Crosses and reliquaries are rather rare, but they do appear in a few cases.
The present paper presents a number of well documented cemeteries of Byzantine Greece and discusses issues of interpretation and chronology. While many of these issues need further thorough research, it becomes apparent that comparison with evidence from other countries, both within and beyond the limits of the Byzantine Empire, can only enhance our understanding
of funerary tradition and practices.