Scripta Minora Stroynensia: the less visible epigraphic evidence from rural Thrace (original) (raw)

Abstract

This paper presents the new epigraphic finds of ancient Roman settlement at Yurta in the SE Bulgaria and links them to the broader picture of Yambol District under the Roman Empire. During 2015 season of Stroyno Archaeological Project several inscribed objects were found revealing new information about the population of the settlement at Yurta-­Stroyno: a votive terracotta tablet with an inscription, graffiti on pottery sherds and anepigraphic fragment of the horse rider votive plaque. All objects belong to the category of ‘small epigraphy’, which is often being neglected for its marginal character and relatively low informative value. The character and the appearance of presented objects points to their local production and their direct connection with the inhabitants of the rural settlement at Yurta­-Stroyno. The otherwise unknown mass inhabiting Yurta is due to the recent finds known to have a limited literacy and basic knowledge of Greek script, but the identity of local population remains unknown. Nonetheless, the nature of epigraphic evidence is outstanding for the rural parts of Thrace, presenting the site at Yurta as exceptional settlement with great archaeological and epigraphic potential. Based on the analysis of the new epigraphic finds and the already published inscriptions from the broader area, settlement at Yurta seems to have a prominent position in the microregional scale, as well as further links to major cities of the region.

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