SOME PECULIARITIES OF THE FUNERAL CUSTOMS OF THE ANCIENT BURIALS FROM AGSU
Keywords:
Albania, graves, burials, stock,, ceramics, arms, ceremonyAbstract
In studying of the funeral customs of Agsu region there were reviewed the ground burials of the Nuydi, Uzunboylar and Nargizava cemeteries. There were formed tables of the available data for the separately cemeteries. On the basis of the data the results were summarized as below mentioned:
1. The direction of the head or face of the death to the East and West. The main indicator in direction of the death are head and face as well.
2. In general the human skeletons discovered in a wrapped position, rarely in a supine position. The differences in position certainly mentioned with the status of the buried.
3. Despite the inhumation typical for these cemeteries, there were discovered rarely the secondary burial, cremation and cenotaph as well.
4. So, the burial assemblages are enough various, the pottery is a dominant in quantity. Despite the ceramic vessels were put near the skull, there other variation of placing defined.
5. Among the weaponry the iron spear points predominate. In all above mentioned burials the iron spear points are found in a driven into the ground in the different parts of the burial bed. Undoubtedly, this is the reflection of the burial rite. The stated custom are observed in different nations of the Eurasia. The curved spear point also defined in one of the graves in Agsu. This is also one of the most popular custom of the nations of the Eurasia. Curving the spear point related with the custom of spoiling the object. In this condition, it is difficult to predetermine the same custom with single instant.
6. There were observed the traces of the rites relating to fire. The fire had sanctifying role. Hopefully here also the fire related with one of the variation of the custom.
7. Animal bones are defined near and inside of the ceramic vessels. These are the bones of birds, goats, sheep and cows partly and in whole condition.
8. The custom of Charon's obol is character to the burials of the mentioned region in the Antiquity.
