1,700-Year-Old Roman Burial

Beneath Budapest, archaeologists have discovered a remarkably well-preserved Roman sarcophagus that is 1,700 years old. This offers a window into the life of the young woman inside and the world she lived in.

The limestone coffin was discovered during an excavation in a northern district of the city that once was part of a bustling Roman settlement on the Danube frontier. The sarcophagus was untouched by looters and the stone lid sealed by metal clamps and molten lead. Inside was a complete skeleton surrounded by artifacts.

The coffin was among the ruins of houses vacated in the 3^rd century. The area was later repurposed as a burial ground. The researchers also uncovered a Roman aqueduct and 8 simpler graves.

This sarcophagus held many objects, including two intact glass vessels, bronze figures, and 140 coins. Artifacts that indicated the grave belonged to a young woman were a bone hairpin, amber jewelry, and traces of gold-threaded fabric.

During Roman times, much of Hungary formed the province of Pannonia. This frontier ran along the right bank of the Danube River less than a mile from the excavation site. Nearby was a legionary camp meant to guard the empire’s border. The newly found structure were probably part of a civilian settlement that grew around the camp.

Anthropologists will examine the young woman’s remains to reveal more about her age, health, and origins. But the grave’s placement and artifacts offer clues. The coffin and its contents probably means the deceased was well-to-do and/or of a high social status. During the 4th century, it was a common practice to reuse earlier sarcophagi, but this coffin was made specifically for the woman who lay within.

A layer of mud about 1.5 inches thick was removed from inside the coffin and could contain more treasures, such as earrings or other jewelry.

The care and artifacts involved in the burial of this young woman give an indication of how much she was loved.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/archaeologists-lift-the-lid-on-a-1-700-year-old-roman-sarcophagus-hidden-beneath-budapest/ar-AA1R3JbA?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6925e0b54aa545f1a3e6fc8f7416ef8d&ei=55