Original scientific paper
A Cylindrical Cosmetic Box, Chests, and Keys from the Roman Period Collection of the Archaeological Museum of Istria
Alka Starac
orcid.org/0000-0002-8254-0849
; Archaeological Museum of Istria, Pula, Croatia
Abstract
Metal and bone elements of cylindrical cosmetic boxes (pyxides)
and rectangular chests have been recovered in Istria at necropolises,
in buildings within the bounds of the walls of Pula, and at
maritime villa sites (Brijuni Castrum, Dragonera, Sorna). The
finds recovered from buildings date from the early 1st to the 8th
c., while those from the necropolises date from the early 1st to
the late 5th c. Elements of one cylindrical cosmetic box (pyxis)
and at most 48 chests have been recorded. Further related
recoveries are of 25 keys used to lock chests, cabinets, or doors.
Metal elements of chests and boxes from the necropolises include
hardware plates, hasps, hinges and lock mechanisms, rivets, small
chains, rings, and keys. Two rectangular chests were recovered from
the necropolis at the Koparska street site, and at least one from
the necropolis at the Vodnjanska street site in Pula. Fourteen
graves at the Marsovo polje necropolis site in Pula contained 14
chests or boxes, at least one of which was a cylindrical cosmetic
box. One rectangular chest from the Marsovo polje necropolis
site belonged to an athlete and contained a collection of coins,
while another contained a medical hook. Two hardware fittings
from the Dragonera site villa were from a chest of somewhat
larger dimensions used in the period from the 5th to the 7th c.
Other individual finds that may be associated with chests were
recovered from contexts that do not provide sufficient data and
we cannot confidently assert that they were all from chests.
Keywords
ring; lock; Istria; key; cosmetic box; chain; hardware; chest
Hrčak ID:
312306
URI
Publication date:
8.12.2023.
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