Greek archaeologists unearth rich Roman tomb on western island

[Primus Pilus]

Archaeologists on a Greek island have discovered a large Roman-era tomb containing gold jewelry, pottery and bronze offerings, officials said Wednesday. The building, near the village of Fiscardo on Kefalonia, contained five burials including a large vaulted grave and a stone coffin, a Culture Ministry announcement said. The complex, measuring 8 by 6 meters (26 by 20 feet), had been missed by grave-robbers, the announcement said.

 

International Herald Tribune

[The Augusta]

Archaeologists on a Greek island have discovered a large Roman-era tomb containing gold jewelry, pottery and bronze offerings, officials said Wednesday. The building, near the village of Fiscardo on Kefalonia, contained five burials including a large vaulted grave and a stone coffin, a Culture Ministry announcement said. The complex, measuring 8 by 6 meters (26 by 20 feet), had been missed by grave-robbers, the announcement said.

 

International Herald Tribune

 

This is one of those tantalising 'articles' that don't really tell us what we want to know. Any updates yet on just exactly what date the tomb is? 'Between 146BC and 330AD' is a huge expanse of time. Also, although the tomb has been dated to the period of Roman influence, it doesn't sound particularly Roman to me. Or perhaps others have more knowledge of this? Was it customary during this period for Romans to be buried in huge tombs with their wordly goods?

 

Any thoughts?

[Maladict]

Here's a picture of the tomb: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/04/04...t.ap/index.html

 

...and the coffin: http://www.dailyfrappe.com/index.php?optio...5&Itemid=57

Edited April 9, 2007 by Maladict