The Balkan Heritage Foundation and the Department of Archaeology at New Bulgarian University organized the BEMA Online Seminar  in Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology on Saturday, May 07, 2022. Guest lecturer Dr. Silvana Blazhevska (National Institution Stobi, R. of N. Macedonia), presented on the following topic: “Burial Practices at the Roman and Late Roman Necropoleis of Stobi”.

Abstract:

The ancient city of Stobi located at the confluence of rivers Axios and Erigon in the northern part of the Roman Province of Macedonia flourished from the time of Augustus until late 6^th or early 7^th century when it was abandoned. The systematic excavations conducted at the site over the past 100 years have revealed a prosperous city with lavishly decorated public buildings, private residences and rich moveable finds which provided an extensive data for its history, urban development and various aspects of everyday life.

Several burial sites were also excavated at different locations outside and within the city walls, providing evidence for burial practices of ancient Stobenses. The majority date to the Roman and Late Roman periods, except for a small Hellenistic cemetery discovered below the Late Antique residences House of Peristeria and Domus Fullonica and small medieval cemetery found above the Civil Basilica.

The 2840 graves excavated so far show a variety of grave types and constructions, burial rituals and grave offerings. Those dated between the Augustan period and the late 4^th century are located at the West Cemetery, while later burials from the 5^th and 6^th centuries were concentrated around extra mural churches and along the southwest and northwest fortification. A group of 4^th century burials found above the ruins of the Building with Arches inside the city walls as well as graves of infants or juveniles buried below the floors of the 6^th century houses require further investigations to be properly explained.

There is a three Balkan Heritage Field School Programs, dedicated to this project. See them here:

Stobi (The Capital City of Macedonia Secunda) Excavation Project

Workshop for Conservation of Roman and Late Roman Mosaics

Workshops for Conservation of Roman & Late Roman Pottery and Glass