Roman Burial Rite in Viminacium The Latest Discovery

Archaeological Institute Belgrade, Serbia

Milica Tapavički – IlićNemanja Mrđić

UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI FERRARAFerrara – Italy, November 20th to 22nd, 2013

Religion and Acculturation in the Danubian Provinces2nd International Conference on the Roman Danubian Provinces

• 6.000 graves with cremations excavated• Less than 4 % burials in urns• Etage graves absolutely dominating• More than 2/3 belong to two etage graves• 2 ustrinae so far discovered (one south of the

city and the other east of the legionary fort)

Viminacium – Aerial View

Viminacium – Coal Mine

Why 2-3 ritual events when you can have all in one?

Result is the same!

Higher price – more wood!

People and families gather always at the same spot!

Actual burial in the grave can be a private ritual with closest family only!

Etage grave – ExperimentPreparation of a burial pit

Etage grave – ExperimentPreparation of a burial pit

Etage grave – ExperimentPreparation of a burial pit

Etage grave – ExperimentPreparation of a burial pit

Etage grave – ExperimentPreparation of a burial pit

Etage grave – ExperimentPreparation of a burial pit

Etage grave – ExperimentPreparation of a burial pit

Etage grave – ExperimentPreparation of a burial pit

Etage grave – ExperimentPreparation of a burial pit

NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED DURING THIS EXPERIMENT !

Etage grave – Experiment with cremation (Bustum tupe)

Air temperature 13-15o CelsiusWood temperature 10-12 o Celsius5 m3 of wood prepared1,85 m3 of wood usedTemperature reached 1000o

Average temperature 800-900o

Time needed 2 / 4 hours

Etage grave – Experiment with cremation (Bustum tupe)

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Cleaning of the graveafter cremation

10-15 minutes!!!!

THANK YOU FOR

YOUR ATTENTION!