Ο λαξευτός τάφος Δ΄της Πέλλας

Abstract

The rock-cut chamber tomb D was discovered in the area east of ancient Pella, in October 1977, during the construction of an enormous water pipe from Aravissos to Thessaloniki. According to the known typology of the subterranean tombs, it has an antechamber and chamber, both in the same direction, from N-S, and a long «dromos» in front of a simple, without façade, entrance. Inside the tomb, there were found klinai, cut into the rock, two in the antechamber and three in the chamber. Iron nails and, in two cases, pie­ ces of wood, proove that the bodies were laid on wooden biers. Cremated bone was gathered in the northern corner of the two klinai of the antechamber. The placement of the offerings beside the head and the feet of the dead, indicates certain identity in burial customs to those observed in other parts of Greece as in Véroia, Corinth, Pylos, etc. The grave goods consisted mainly of ceramic vessels (lamps, unguentaria, amphoras, pyxides, a plate, a megarian bowl, etc.) metal objects (gold leaves, lead pyxides) and various other objects. The offerings can be dated in the 2nd century B.C., namely after the middle of the century, and indicate that the city of Pella though in a poor and deteriorating condition, continued to live after the Roman destruction of 168 B.C.