An Example of a Secondary Burial Rite in Abkhazia during the Hellenistic Period
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24852/2587-6112.2026.1.80.89Keywords:
archaeology, burial complexes, paleoanthropology, antiquity, Hellenism, secondary burial, Colchis, Markula fortifified settlementAbstract
The article presents a description and interpretation of two Hellenistic burials discovered during the study of a crypt at the «Kotyol» site within the Markul fortified settlement – a cultural monument of the local population located in the southeastern part of the Republic of Abkhazia, approximately 10 km from the sea coast and near the ancient Greek polis of Gyuenos, a colony in Colchis. Most of the crypt was destroyed by looters, causing the mixing of the cultural layer and loss of stratigraphy and planigraphy. However, part of the crypt remained intact. In its northern section, burials No. 6 and No. 7 were uncovered. Although these burials were undisturbed, the paleoanthropological remains were disarticulated. The article analyzes these remains, establishing that burial 6 belonged to a child, while burial 7 belonged to an adult. Each burial contained at least two individuals. Due to the lack of anatomical order of the bones, the authors hypothesize that the burials represent a secondary burial rite. The article provides a detailed description and interpretation of these burials and reconstructs the burial ritual practiced by the ancient population of Abkhazia during the Hellenistic period.
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