AncientPages.com - Archaeologists have discovered a mysterious ancient mass grave filled with Roman skeletons dating back to the first and third centuries A.D.
Many questions concerning the grave remain currently unanswered. Though the identity of the people who were buried inside the tomb is still debated, there is reason to think the individuals were of higher social standing.
Scientists are trying to solve the mystery of the ancient mass grave. Image credit: Hurriyet Daily News
The mass grave was unearthed in in the ancient city of Parion, formerly a part of Rome’s vast eastern empire. Parion, also known as Parium, was originally a Greek city thought to be named for the Trojan prince Paris. The 3,000-year-old city was handed over to the Romans in 133 B.C. In the Roman period, it served as a major trading hub with two harbors.
The place belongs today to modern Turkey.
Ancient port discovered in the city of Parion.
As many skeletons of 24 people including one child were found during archaeological excavations.
According to experts, the number of skeletons from later periods indicate that the demographic makeup of the city swelled over the centuries. The way the bodies are carefully laid out also suggests that they were of a higher social standing.
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On one side of the tomb, scientists found 15 skulls and the remaining skulls were buried in the northeast direction.
“The existence of six chamber tombs next to each other shows that people with special statuses were buried in this field,” Professor Vedat Keleş, Ondokuz Mayıs University Archaeology Department said.
The individual were people of great social importance. Image credit: Hurriyet Daily News
Researchers also found ancient artifacts that were most likely burial gifts placed in the tombs.
“We found ancient items, including three tear bottles, one of which is a glass, a plate, an amphora and a pitcher. We also found a strigil, used by ancient people to clean their bodies,” Professor Vedat Keleş said.
To prevent damages on the chamber tombs, scientists have now closed the area. The ancient skeletons will be removed and examined next year. Hopefully, the mystery of this multi-burial tomb will also be solved then.
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