Breaking News: Late Roman necropolis with more than 350 buried skeletons discovered in Slovenia - News Paper

After nearly a year of excavations on Gosposvetska Street in Ljubljana and with the re-opening deadline fast approaching, the archaeologists have stumbled upon yet another surprise as they uncovered an early-Christian church in what was a cemetery on the northern outskirts of the Roman outpost Emona.

Credit: Matija Lukič/MMC RTV SLO

Knowing that there was an ancient cemetery south of what is now Slovenska Street, archaeologists expected to find graves and a few sarcophagi, but the finds exceeded their expectations.

More than 350 human remains were found in the area between Kersnikova and Slovenska streets, as well as over 40 sarcophagi, a church and a tomb.

Credit: Matija Lukič/MMC RTV SLO

The cemetery is dated to the 4th and 5th century, a time when the then Roman Emona already had a flourishing Christian community.

The archaeologists also found some artefacts in the graves, a common practice of the Romans, which had gradually been abolished at the time this cemetery was used, archaeologist Andrej Gaspari told the STA.

Credit: Matija Lukič/MMC RTV SLO

One of the most impressive grave artefacts was a blue glass bowl inscribed with of a toast in Greek. It was found in the sarcophagus of an adult woman, a high-ranking member of the community, likely a nun.

A piece of cloth with golden thread was also found next to the skeleton in what seems to be the most prominent grave in this part of the cemetery.

Credit: Matija Lukič/MMC RTV SLO

The most recent find, the church, was adorned with frescos and a mosaic. It is located just outside the walls of Figovec restaurant on Gosposvetska Street.

The high density of graves and the church "indicate that this was truly a special part [of the cemetery], tied closely to the ancient-Christian development of the city," said Gaspari.

Credit: Matija Lukič/MMC RTV SLO

The archaeologists have made several suggestions on how to present the finds. These could be indicated in the pavement or with a model, according to Gaspari.

Gosposvetska Street has been closed for renovation since August 2017 and is to reopen for traffic in mid-July.

Source: The Slovenia Times [July 07, 2018]



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Breaking News: Late Roman necropolis with more than 350 buried skeletons discovered in Slovenia - News Paper