What is it about?
Although many burials from the 4th to 7th centuries have been uncovered in the province of Scythia, there hasn’t been a clear study to make sense of this information. This paper sets out to change that! After a quick look at the history, it dives into what has been discovered so far and what researchers know. It also explores the different burial places and traditions in the Lower Danube region during the Late Roman and Early Byzantine times.
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Why is it important?
Filling a Research Gap: It addresses the lack of a systematic study on the burials in Scythia Minor from the 4th to 7th centuries, helping to organize and better understand the existing archaeological data. Cultural Insights: By exploring burial practices and sites, the paper provides valuable insights into the less-known aspects of the Late Roman and Early Byzantine periods in the Lower Danube region. Historical Context: It enhances our understanding of how this region evolved during a critical time of transition, shedding light on the broader historical changes impacting the Roman Empire and its provinces.
Perspectives
Writing this article feels like a significant achievement, as it brings much-needed attention to a region that is often overlooked in the broader narrative of the Roman Empire—the periphery of Scythia Minor. By studying the burial practices and mortuary data of the Lower Danube, we not only gain a deeper understanding of the people who lived there but also challenge the perception of these regions as mere outliers. Instead, they emerge as dynamic parts of the Late Roman world, contributing to its complexity and diversity.
Ciprian Cretu
The F. I. Rainer Institute of Anthropology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Death at the Edge of Empire: Burial Practices in the Province of Scythia (4th–7th c. AD), September 2024, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004687974_012.
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