A Roman Tomb Reveals Supernatural Precautions
In the sun-baked hills of southwestern Türkiye, archaeologists have uncovered a fascinating glimpse into ancient Roman superstitions. A team from KU Leuven and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences has discovered a tomb in the ancient city of Sagalassos that speaks volumes about the fears that gripped people nearly two millennia ago.
The Restless Dead and Their Magical Prison
Dating back to 100-150 A.D., this burial site tells a chilling tale of the lengths to which ancient Romans would go to ensure their deceased stayed put. The tomb, published about in the journal Antiquity, contains evidence of unusual funerary practices designed to prevent the dead from rising and haunting the living.
Bent Nails and Lime: A Supernatural Barrier
The most striking feature of this burial is the presence of 41 deliberately bent nails scattered around the edges of the cremation area. Twenty-five of these nails were bent at a perfect right angle with their heads twisted off, while sixteen others were contorted but retained their heads. These nails, researchers believe, formed a magical barrier to contain the spirit of the deceased.
Adding to the mystique, a layer of lime covered the remains. Rather than serving a practical purpose, this lime coating is thought to have been another measure to keep the dead securely underground.
A Unique Cremation Practice
Unlike typical Roman cremations of the era, which involved a separate pyre and relocation of remains, the people of Sagalassos conducted their cremations in situ. This practice eliminated the need to move the remains, perhaps reflecting a desire to minimize disturbance of the dead.
Grave Goods: A Window into the Past
The tomb also yielded several intriguing artifacts. A second-century coin, small ceramic urns from the first century, two blown glass urns, and a hinged object were found among the remains, offering further insights into the burial customs and beliefs of the time.
Sagalassos: A City Steeped in History
Located near the modern town of Ağlasun in Türkiye’s Burdur province, Sagalassos boasts a rich history spanning from its founding in the late 5th century B.C. to its decline in late antiquity. Once part of the Hellenistic Attalid Kingdom, it later flourished under Roman rule.
The Catholic University of Leuven has been excavating the site since 1990, with the northeastern edge revealing a transition from agricultural terraces to funerary grounds as the city expanded. This particular tomb is part of a larger necropolis containing both inhumation and cremation burials dating from the late Hellenistic to the Late Roman periods.
As we continue to unearth the secrets of Sagalassos, we’re reminded that the ancient world was not so different from our own. People grappled with fears of the unknown and the supernatural, resorting to elaborate rituals to find peace in the face of death. This Roman tomb, with its bent nails and lime barrier, stands as a testament to the enduring human desire to control the uncontrollable, even beyond the grave.
