The Antandros Necropolis: An Evaluation in Light of Research Carried Out in 2001–2018

The Antandros necropolis which has a stratified structure was densely occupied from the late 8th century BC to the end of the Hellenistic period. The earliest burials of the necropolis are one primary cremation burial and one cist grave from the late Geometric period. These two graves are insufficient to understand burial customs and grave types of the Geometric period. However, the increase in the number of graves in the Archaic period provides more information about the burial customs of Antandros. In the Archaic period, adult individuals were cremated while infants and children younger than six and a half years were simply inhumed or buried in large vessels from the 7th century to the beginning of the 6th century BC. By the 6th century BC, inhumation gradually became customary also for adults. Following the common use of stone sarcophagi in the 5th century BC, inhumations in stone sarcophagi prevailed for adults.

However, cremation still continued until the end of the Classical period even though the number was low. In the Classical period tile-covered burials and pithoi were used for adult burials while amphorae were used for infant and child burials. Further changes in custom were observed during the Hellenistic period. Cremations, which had almost disappeared in the Classical period, suddenly recurred in substantial numbers. The most striking burial type of Hellenistic period were Π-shaped or circular altar graves used only for cremations. The number of inhumations in simple pit burials and tile-covered burials for adults was high in the Hellenistic period. After the end of the 1st century A D, t he area was not used as a cemetery anymore. A rchitectural r emains found i n the necropolis provide evidence that the city became a residential settlement in the 4th century AD.

Keywords:

Antandros, Burial Customs, Grave, Necropolis