From the Essence of Beauty to a Riddle of Death: a Roman Incineration Grave in the Goveja Quarter of the Town of Vis (original) (raw)

Abstract

The paper presents finds discovered in the the area of Goveja in the town of Vis on the island of the same name. The characteristics and the context of the finds suggest that they might have belonged to a Roman incineration grave. Prominent among the finds is a unique ceramic vessel, in the described context used as an urn. Its typical morphological model – a skyphos with a barbotine decoration – suggests that the vessel was manufactured in a Pontic sigillata workshop, that is in one of the Black Sea or Eastern Mediterranean production centres. Its uniqueness is reflected in the elaborate relief added to it, very reminiscent of decorative details found in other objects – appliqués from a fulcrum of a cline – that have been interpreted as a depiction of Artemis/Diana. The detailed analysis and contextualisation of grave finds presented in this paper shed further light on the manufacture of and demand for late 1st century and 2nd century tableware, and open new questions as to the appearance and distribution of Issaean burial landscapes, as well as the specific features of the Issaean funerary rite.

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What unique findings were discovered in the incineration grave at Goveja?add

The excavation revealed a unique ceramic urn adorned with barbotine decoration, depicting a female figure, indicative of late 1st to early 2nd century craftsmanship.

How does the Goveja burial architecture compare to other Roman graves in the region?add

The Goveja grave features ceramic urns laid in rock crevices, similar to burials observed in Vlaška Njiva, suggesting a potential regional burial practice not previously documented.

What implications do the artifacts have on understanding Issaean funerary practices?add

The artifacts, particularly snails alongside the urn, indicate their possible use in funeral rites, reflecting local funerary customs during Hellenistic and Roman periods.

What does the ceramic vessel's unique decoration indicate about its origin?add

The vessel's morphology suggests production in a Pontic sigillata workshop, possibly reflecting intensified Adriatic contacts with eastern Mediterranean regions from the 2nd century onward.

Why are the relief decoration details on the ceramic vessel significant?add

The intricate relief details, reminiscent of Hellenistic prototypes, may indicate a continuity of Artemis/Diana worship in Issa, potentially symbolizing local religious practices in funerary contexts.

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