Late Roman Tombs from Part of the Eastern Cemetery Site – Anthropological Analysis

Abstract

In 2016, the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, Sremska Mitrovica, in cooperation with colleagues from the Museum of Srem (Sremska Mitrovica), conducted rescue archaeological excavations at No. 53–55 Palanka Street in Sremska Mitrovica.1 These excavations took place in part of the so-called Eastern Cemetery in Sirmium, which had been previously investigated in 1976 and 1977 (Map 1). On that occasion, remains of a late antique memorial structure were discovered, and parts of the ancient (3rd-4th century) and modern (18th century) cemetery. Unfortunately, the late antique tombs and graves were damaged to a large extent by looting, later burials and recovery of materials for secondary use (see the text by B. Lučić in this publication), which directly affected the human osteological material and greatly limited anthropological analysis and interpretation. The degree of preservation of the bone remains of individuals buried at this site for the most part falls into the category of well-preserved incomplete skeletons.