Original scientific paper
Early Croatian graveyard located at Svećurje in the area of Rudine in Kaštel Novi
Tonči Burić
; Muzej hrvatskih arheoloških spomenika, Split, Hrvatska
Abstract
The graveyard at Svećurje in Kaštel Novi is an example of a typical early Croatian graveyard. A large number of these types of mediaeval graveyards (7th - 11th centuries) have been discovered and researched in
the territory of the Croatian state. Furthermore they could also be found throughout Europe, where they are dated to the late ancient period and the Early Middle Ages. 47 graves have been discovered and researched
in Svećurje which, based on the givens of the terrain, make up about half of the total burial spots. The complete area is assumed to be about 600m². The graves are laid in 7 or 8 rows in the East-West direction. By
analyzing the layout, it is possible to distinguish four specific groups or graveyard lots (= gp) respectively, which I have marked with letters (gp A-D). Two irregularly shaped wide gaps are also evident on the map
of the graveyard, which I have marked as space I (= mp I) and space II (= mp II). These areas are crossed by narrow open spaces which I have interpreted as pathways through the graveyard. They enter the graveyard
area from the north and west and extend up to the unexplored area in the south and southwest. 42 or 89,40% of the total number of graves contained only one skeleton in situ. Also the placement of the arms is indicative of the Early Middle Ages. Arms stretching in several combinations along the length of the body have been found in 72,40% of the graves. This percentage is certainly even higher, since the placement of the arms could not be determined in 25,60% of the graves due to the disorder of the skeleton. It is also important to note that we did not find traces or remains which would indicate a pagan burial rite or its variation in the researched areal of the graveyard, as well as in the graves themselves. It is a very important chronological benchmark and a reliable terminus ante quem non because it is proof that burials in Svećurje could not have begun before the middle of the 9th century when Christianization was already in full swing and its centre was located in the neighbouring royal complex in Bijaći, where Frankish missionaries were situated during the rule of Dukes Mislav and Trpimir...
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
165925
URI
Publication date:
20.4.2015.
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