19th–20th Century Greek Ossuary Architecture and Islets of the Dead in the Gulf of Edremit

Abstract

Interdisciplinary studies, which have become even more common in the present day, can pave the way for further research in different scientific disciplines, including anthropology. Correspondingly, this study—employing insights from architectural history, landscape archaeology, and historical topography perspectives—focuses on Greek ossuary structures and funerary islets in the Gulf of Edremit during the 19th and 20th centuries. First, the ossuary of Burhaniye, deemed a lost and forgotten monument that belonged to the former Greek community of the town, is introduced through Ottoman archival records and oral history. Then, the abandoned ossuary in the old Greek cemetery of Cunda Island (Ayvalık) is taken into account as an extant and nearby example. Later, a discussion is conducted to determine the precise location of a funerary islet among the Ayvalık Islands, which had remained rather obscure in recent literature. Apart from this islet, there was another funerary islet in the region, although they served contrasting purposes. Sazlı/Oker/Kalemli Island (formerly Kalamaki) was for the vrykolakas, who were believed to be undead revenants. On the other hand, Kumru Island (formerly Nisopoula) was the resting place of a modern-day saint. For this study, different sources were considered and compared with archival evidence, and they were further elaborated through field surveys. While the results have secured the position of Sazlı/Oker/Kalemli Island, the previous use of Kumru Island as a sacred burial site establishes a unique case study with its own story. Finally, it is hoped that the outcomes of this study may guide advanced anthropological studies in the region.

Keywords

• Architectural history
• ossuary
• funerary islands
• Burhaniye
• Ayvalık

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