Interesting Find on Crete

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science....ap/index.html

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ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- A well-preserved underground tomb belonging to a prominent Roman-era family has been unearthed on the island of Crete, archaeologists said Wednesday.

The large first or second century A.D. structure beside one of the main gates to the walled city of Aptera was looted during Christian times, archaeologist Vanna Niniou-Kindeli said.

It still yielded a wealth of finds, including 10-inch pottery statuettes of the ancient Greek love deity Eros, glass and pottery vases and lamps.

Built of large stone blocks, the grave is reached by a flight of steps. It has an antechamber and a main room measuring three by two yards that was the site of four burials.

"These must have been highly important citizens, probably among the city's wealthiest, who had contributed to the common good of the city," Niniou-Kindeli said. "In return, they were buried in a prominent position so that whoever entered the city saw the grave."

Archaeologists also discovered a small burial ground of newborns dating to the 4th century B.C., just outside the city walls.

Seven graves have been found, including a prematurely born infant's. Niniou-Kindeli said traces of ritual offerings were found beside the graves.

"This is an interesting find," she said. "We are not quite sure how to interpret it."

Aptera was founded around the seventh century B.C., and was destroyed by an earthquake in the seventh century A.D. It flourished during Hellenistic and Roman times.

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I just think it is cool that they are still finding things like this today.

Me too. I like the ruins of Troy. That's pretty cool.:2thumbsup:

Fascinating (sp?) stuff. I'd like to know a little more about those ritual sacrifices and how they are connected to the infant burial sites.
Similar stuff that was found in Carthage gave many the idea that Carthaginians sacrificed children to their gods, an idea that most likely was little more then Roman propaganda.

This might be a little better suited to the monastery. Good stuff, thanks for the link.

Ajax

In the summer I went to Rome, and there were archaeological excavations just literally 20 metres from the colosseum:2thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by ajaxfetish

This might be a little better suited to the monastery. Good stuff, thanks for the link.

Ajax

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Anytime. :book:. I figured I'd post it there because this forum tends to get the most attention.

Maybe The Monastary would get more attention if people posted topics there? ~;)

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was looted during Christian times

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Damn grave robbers! :furious3: