Roman Clay Coffins: Maritime Mortuary Trade and Cultural Identity in the Eastern Mediterranean

Summary

This is a paper/report submission presented at the 2020 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Clay coffins found in burial contexts along the coasts of modern Israel, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey are marked by resemblance in form, decoration, and fabric. The Galilee and Phoenician coast, religiously and culturally diverse, contained the majority of clay coffins, all dating between the 2nd and 4th centuries. Petrographic analysis confirms the importation of the coffins to these areas, while their proximity to ports and presence in shipwreck and underwater sites supports a picture of flourishing maritime trade. Comparison of coffin distribution in the Galilee with ancient Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Aramaic texts and archaeological indicators of ethnic boundaries and burial practices presents Galileans, regardless of religion, as importers of coffins and culture. This phenomenon of imported mortuary goods and shared customs reflects a tendency toward maritime trade and a tolerance for diversity and assimilation in the eastern Mediterranean micro-region.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• 2020 SHA General Sessions   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2020

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 892