engleski

Multiple perinatal burial from the 2nd to 1st c. B.C.E. at Kopila, Korčula Island, Croatia

The aim of this preliminary study is to present the minimum number of individuals yielded from the multiple perinatal burial from Kopila, determine the age range of the individuals, and determine the nature of the mortuary behavior at this locality. In recent excavations (2013- 2014) of the Kopila necropolis mounds, one burial location yielded hundreds of human, mostly perinatal, skeletons. Associated grave goods included Hellenistic drinking cups (skyphoi) and hundreds of glass and amber beads. Change in skyphoi style indicates that the perinatal skeletons were interred on different occasions during 2nd to 1st century B.C.E. The skeletons were separated from each other by a thin layer of small beach pebbles. Due to difficulties in separating and following pebble layers and perinatal remains, the sample has been excavated as a whole and is being analyzed as a single commingled sample. All the skeletal remains of buried perinatal bodies are represented in similar ratios suggesting primary and complete skeletal interment. Preliminary skeletal analysis of the Kopila dental sample indicates presence of at least 37 infants buried within the grave. Postcranial elements indicate presence of at least 42 individuals. Metric study of the intact skeletal elements indicates presence of 2 neonates, 2 preterm babies, 13 perinates, and a child aged approximately 3. Compared with other penecontemporary multiple- infant burials from the Eastern Mediterranean region, Kopila example shows different mortuary behavior, revealing different treatment of the deceased infants.

multiple burial ; mortuary practice ; commingled skeletal remains

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