Original scientific paper

The medieval Cemetery surrounding the Chapel of St. Anne in Gornji Kosinj

Lea Čataj orcid.org/0009-0000-8307-8783 ; Croatian Conservation Institute, Division for Archaeological Heritage, Kožarska 5, Zagreb, Croatia *
Marijana Krmpotić orcid.org/0000-0002-1050-2173 ; Croatian Conservation Institute, Division for Archaeological Heritage, Kožarska 5, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Azinović Bebek orcid.org/0000-0002-2063-6466 ; Croatian Conservation Institute, Division for Archaeological Heritage, Kožarska 5, Zagreb, Croatia
Mario Novak orcid.org/0000-0002-4567-8742 ; Centre for Applied Bioanthropology, Institute for Anthropological Research, Ljudevita Gaja 32, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

In October 2020, the Croatian Conservation Institute carried out archaeological trial excavations in the area surrounding the chapel of St. Anne in Gornji Kosinj, which, in accordance with the project documentation, included the exploration of five trenches and covered a total area of 70 m2. The research yielded a significant number of skeletal remains, which were discovered in front of the chapel’s façade and along its southern wall. Since the cemetery has been in use over several centuries, most graves were disturbed, resulting in the displacement of the majority of bones. Based on movable finds, calibrated radiocarbon dates and stratigraphy, it is possible to date 23 graves to the period from the late 10th/early 11th to the late 14th century. Finds were discovered in eight graves, which contained earrings, circlets and rings in female graves, as
well as parts of belts and footwear, spurs and a tin chalice in male graves. Most burials follow the orientation of the present chapel, indicating the presence of a sacred structure on its site as early as the 11th century. Only one grave dates back to the period after 1696, which is located in front of the façade of the chapel.

Keywords

Middle Ages; Lika; grave of a priest; earrings; circlets; spurs

Hrčak ID:

317002

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/317002

Publication date:

31.12.2023.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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