79-92

The necropolis of Aigae in the light of recent archaeological evidence

• Κοτταρίδη, Αγγελική

Over the last ten years, 150 burials of various types have been investigated at Vergina. They date from between the Archaic and the late Hellenistic periods, and are located to the south-west of the cemetery of tumuli of the early Iron Age, usually within the boundaries of the modern village.These burials include some of ordinary people —men, women and chil­ dren— with scanty grave goods or none at all, but also two monumental Mace­ donian tombs, the impressive royal ‘Eurydice Tomb’ and another more humble structure which must have been built after the kingdom was overthrown by the Romans in 168 BC. There are also some very rich burials dating from the sixth and fifth centuries BC.This sample of burials, taken in conjunction with those excavated in earlier years, leads us to the some interesting conclusions about the form, organisation and stratigraphy of the vast cemetery of Aigae. Careful investigation of the tombs and their immediate surroundings made it possible to assemble valuable information which casts light on the complex question of Macedonian burial customs, where beliefs and practices seem to have been retained long after they had died out in southern Greece. This question is obviously connected with the more general policy and social evolution of Macedonia, which did not adopt the models of the democratic city-states.In addition, the abundant archaeological material —metal and terracotta vessels, weapons, jewellery, figurines — found in large quantities even in tombs which had been robbed provides much valuable information about the everyday lives, clothing, weaponry, economy, commercial relations and even the technology and arts of the ancient Macedonians, while the skeletal mater - ial promises to reveal anthropological evidence about the population per se of the ancient Macedonian capital.The marked differences to be observed in the quantity and quality of the grave goods and even in the dimensions and construction of the tombs suggests a picture of a clearly stratified society and gives us a reliable criterion for ap­ preciating in their true dimensions the marvellous royal burials, among which that of Philip II occupies a special place.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

Βεργίνα, συνέδρια

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