Гробове и гробни съоръжения (II–IV век) от площад „9 септември“ (дн. „Александър I“) в София

Graves and Funerary Structures (2nd-4th Century) from the Square „9th of September“ (now „Alexander I“) in Sofia

Abstract

The research at today’s Square „Alexander I“ (then Square „9th of September“) took place in 1958 under the supervision of Magdalina Stancheva. It was carried out due to the need for modern redevelopment of the square, with archaeological work focused on four separate excavations covering key parts of the area. Over 103 funerary structures were uncovered in the closest zone to the fortress wall of the ancient city of Serdica. The majority of them are tegulae graves (total of 64), as well as ordinary grave pits (total of 15). There is no information about the type for 11 of the funerary structures, and another 11 do not have numbers and are only mentioned without being studied. The number of funeral structures under the square is likely higher. Among the findings is a brick grave containing the remains of three individuals (two adults and one child), as well as one cremation in an urn. The latter ritual is attested for the first time in the necropolis area. In addition to the cremation in the urn, there are 8 more cases of cremation known from the excavations - all from tegulae graves. The inventory is relatively poor, with a few exceptions. The use of this part of the necropolis probably began in the middle of the 2nd century and continued until the middle or second half of the 4th century. The research has not been published until now, which is why the article represents a kind of attempt to present part of the revealed archaeological heritage under today’s Square „Alexander I“.