A Small Archaic Cementery and Some Finds at the Bayraklı Mound (Ancient Smyrna)

Year 1999, Issue: 2, 51 - 69, 15.12.1999

Meral Akurgal

https://izlik.org/JA73EG39ET

Abstract

In addition to the great necropolis of old Izmir (Smyrna) situated on the slopes of Spylos, a small ce- metery dating to the archaic period has been found on the city Bayraklı mound during the excavations in 1997/98. This cemetery uncovered southwest of the archaic fountain and outside the city wall, consists of limestone sarcophagi and terracotta pithos graves (Fig. 1). In one of the sarcophagi 5 pairs of gold earrings and 2 gold astragals were found (Plate 1).
The astragals of Bayraklı (Plate 4-9), found together with 5 pairs of earrings (Plate 2, 3) and one be- ad, doubtless belonged to a young girl. In antiquity the game of knucklebones was a popular one, preferred by youths and girls. Astragals were also used for cult purposes from the Neolithic Age onwards (M.E. Caskey, 1971; Greifenhagen 1965; G.D. Hogarth, 1908). Although the Bayraklı astra- gals were game pieces, they were never used but made directly as grave gifts, as can be seen from the lack of any scratches on them. They can be dated to the beginning of the 6th century B.C.
In addition to the five limestone sarcophagi, the same area revealed eight other terracotta vessels which had been used for burial. A lion hunt is depicted between the handles of a vessel in the form of a double handled krater (Plate 12).
The human figures on the krater and the composition of the lion hunt subject are depicted in the style of hoplites and hunting scenes of the Late Protocorinthian period of the second half of the 7th century B.C. (Fig. 2). The horse and lion are Cycladic; the bird is Boiotian (Fig.3) and the floral band (Fig.4) are in the Island Style (See Notes 22 and 32 in the Turkish text). This vase, which shows obvious Corinthian and Cycladic influences, must be the work of a local artist and is datable to the end of the 7th or beginning of the 6th century B.C.
Considering the small size of this area on the southeastern slope of the city, we may say that here are the 7th and 6th century graves of people of noble class living on the peninsula. The reason that the necropolis is situated immediately outside the city wall but still on the mound was a precaution against grave robbers.

Bayraklı Höyüğü'nde Arkaik Döneme Ait Küçük Bir Mezarlık ve Bazı Buluntular

https://izlik.org/JA73EG39ET

Abstract

In addition to the great necropolis of old Izmir (Smyrna) situated on the slopes of Spylos, a small ce- metery dating to the archaic period has been found on the city Bayraklı mound during the excavations in 1997/98. This cemetery uncovered southwest of the archaic fountain and outside the city wall, consists of limestone sarcophagi and terracotta pithos graves (Fig. 1). In one of the sarcophagi 5 pairs of gold earrings and 2 gold astragals were found (Plate 1).
The astragals of Bayraklı (Plate 4-9), found together with 5 pairs of earrings (Plate 2, 3) and one be- ad, doubtless belonged to a young girl. In antiquity the game of knucklebones was a popular one, preferred by youths and girls. Astragals were also used for cult purposes from the Neolithic Age onwards (M.E. Caskey, 1971; Greifenhagen 1965; G.D. Hogarth, 1908). Although the Bayraklı astra- gals were game pieces, they were never used but made directly as grave gifts, as can be seen from the lack of any scratches on them. They can be dated to the beginning of the 6th century B.C.
In addition to the five limestone sarcophagi, the same area revealed eight other terracotta vessels which had been used for burial. A lion hunt is depicted between the handles of a vessel in the form of a double handled krater (Plate 12).
The human figures on the krater and the composition of the lion hunt subject are depicted in the style of hoplites and hunting scenes of the Late Protocorinthian period of the second half of the 7th century B.C. (Fig. 2). The horse and lion are Cycladic; the bird is Boiotian (Fig.3) and the floral band (Fig.4) are in the Island Style (See Notes 22 and 32 in the Turkish text). This vase, which shows obvious Corinthian and Cycladic influences, must be the work of a local artist and is datable to the end of the 7th or beginning of the 6th century B.C.
Considering the small size of this area on the southeastern slope of the city, we may say that here are the 7th and 6th century graves of people of noble class living on the peninsula. The reason that the necropolis is situated immediately outside the city wall but still on the mound was a precaution against grave robbers.

Keywords

Bayraklı , Astragal , Doğu Hellen , Adalar , Soylu Mezarları

References

• AJA The American Journal of Archaeology.