477-484

Investigation of a cemetery in the area of ancient Amphipolis

• Νικολαΐδου-Πατέρα, Μαρία

During the construction of an irrigation network in an agricultural area near Nea Kerdyllia, Serres prefecture, a total of 40 graves were discovered and investigated on the W bank of the Strymon. They contained evidence of both inhumation and cremation burials.The more common mode of burial was inhumation, in which the dead, usually one to a grave, were placed supine in cist and tile graves, larnaces, andjars. In most cases of cremation, the corpse had been placed in a pit and burnt in situ, though there are also a few instances of urn burial.In both modes of burial, the grave goods were arranged around the deceased,and a bronze or silver coin was frequently placed in the mouth.Unfortunately, a large proportion of the graves were found to have been robbed. Nonetheless, the few that were intact yielded abundant grave goods inthe form of vases and jewellery. Of these, particularly interesting were a largegold finger-ring with a representation of Artemis and a unique Kertch hydriawith a representation of an Amazon battle on the principal face preservingvivid applied colours (blue, red, white) and additional gold decorative effects.The graves that were investigated belong to the NW cemetery of ancientAmphipolis, which lay on either side of the road to the interior of Bisaltia.They cover a period from the end of the 5th to the mid-3rd c. BC. It is worth noting that the oldest graves were found nearest the ancient city.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

νεκροταφεία, τάφοι, συνέδρια, Αμφίπολη

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