Original scientific paper
Skeletal graves of children from the necropolis Više grobalja of ancient Viminacium
Bebina Milovanović
Abstract
The topic of this paper are the skeletal children’s
graves of the classical Viminacium necropolis
Više grobalja. A total of 2273 graves with the remains
of inhumed individuals were analysed, 639
of which (28%) belong to children up to 15 years
of age. Among the graves, group funerals of several
deceased individuals where a child was found
buried next to one or more adults were also analysed.
Although cremation was the only form of
burial in the first centuries AD, the children were
not incinerated, primarily due to practical reasons;
there would not be enough skeletal remains
to bury after burning, so they were inhumed. Funerals
in grave pits or in wooden coffins are dominant
at the site. Graves made of bricks and burials
with a half of an amphora as cover are rare.
The grave inventory of the inhumed children is
uniform. Among the finds, the most dominant
are ceramic vessels (jugs, pots, bowls, cups...) and
oil-lamps. Still, the children’s graves differ from
those of adults regarding certain grave goods.
The objects such as bullae, polychrome beads,
various pendants, shells and snails, apart from
being specially linked with the deceased, served
the purpose of protecting the deceased against
evil spirits.
Keywords
children, inhumations, necropolis, grave inventory, Više grobalja, Viminacium
Hrčak ID:
182064
URI
Publication date:
15.2.2017.
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