Parian Polyandreia

This book centres on the anthropological study of two late 8th century BC monumental graves, including a considerable population sample of cremated males, at the ancient necropolis of Paroikia at Paros, Greece. The study investigates inter-island features of the human record, observable as ingrained traces in the skeletal record.

This book centres on the anthropological study of two late 8th century BC monumental graves, designated as T144 and T105, at the ancient necropolis of Paroikia at Paros. The study investigates inter-island features of the human record, observable as ingrained traces in the skeletal record. These have particular significance as they may relate to Parian endeavours in the northern Aegean to colonise Thasos. Through the ‘Paros Polyandreia Anthropological Project,’ it was possible to gain insights into aspects of the human environment and experience in the Parian context. A considerable population sample of cremated male individuals was available, shedding light on trends that would have involved Thasos; and discerning further facets of the human condition during the Late Geometric to the Early Archaic periods in the ancient Hellenic world. The report integrates the basic anthropological data, evaluations and assessments derived from the study of the human skeletal record of Polyandreia T144, and T105. Bioarchaeological and forensic anthropological research results include the morphometric analyses of biological developmental growth and variability in relation to manifestations of acquired skeleto-anatomic changes, along with inquiries into the demographic dynamics, and the palaeopathologic profile of the individuals involved. Such intra-site juxtaposition afforded the possibility to deliberate on issues of the intended purpose, function, and symbolic meaning of the two funerary activity areas, and to reflect on the organizational abilities and capacities of the Parians in political and military affairs. Moreover, inter-site evaluations of the burial grounds of Orthi Petra of Eleutherna-Crete, Plithos of Naxos, Athenian Demosion Sema, Pythagoreion of Samos, and Rhodes make possible comparisons of taphonomic conditions, with cremated materials’ metric analyses, and reflections on aspects of the funerary customs and practices of the interring of cremated war dead.

Preface

Archaeologikόn Prolegόmenon

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Methods

Chapter 3 ‘Vase Contexts’ Recovered from Monumental Tomb T144

Chapter 4 Metric Studies of Cremated Human Remains Retrieved from T144 ‘Vase Contexts’

Chapter 5 Bone Elements and Other Materials Recovered from T144 ‘Non-Vase Contexts’

Chapter 6 Metric Studies of Cremated Human Remains Retrieved from ‘Non-Vase Contexts’ of T144

Chapter 7 Regarding a Select Number of T144 Archaeological Contexts’ Osteo-Anthropological Study Results

Chapter 8 ‘Archaeological Contexts’ with Human Cremains Recovered from Monumental Tomb T105

Chapter 9 Metric Studies of Cremated Human Remains Retrieved from ‘Archaeological Contexts’ of T105, along with Intra- and Inter-site Comparisons

Chapter 10 Toward a Synopsis of Results on the Anthropological Materials Studied from Monumental Tombs T144 and T105

Postface (On matters of an unfinished discussion)

Select Bibliographical References

Appendices

ANAGNOSTIS P. AGELARAKIS is Professor of Anthropology at Adelphi University in New York. He studied Classical Archaeology and European Ethnology as an undergraduate, and as graduate Environmental Studies at Lund University and Lund Polytechnic Institute in Sweden. He holds a M. Phil. and Ph.D. (1989) in Anthropology from Columbia University, New York. In the earlier years of his career, he carried out field and/or lab archaeo-anthropological research projects focusing on the organizational abilities, capacities, and adaptations of the human condition during the Holocene in SE and SW Asia, the Middle East, the American Northeast, and the Caribbean. The central area of his research remains however the Eastern Mediterranean with emphasis on the ancient world of the Greeks, at the cross roads and sea routes between Africa, Asia, and Europe. Under the domains of Anthropological Archaeology, Funerary Archaeology, Bio-Archaeology and Forensics he studies the biological profiles, the demographic dynmics, and palaeopathological records of human skeletal populations from prehistoric periods to the late medieval era. Based on the skeletal record, he investigates issues relative to the changing dynamics in ancient warfare, the developments of the art of medicine particularly as it related to battle trauma surgery and healing regimens, as well as aspects on the decipherment of kinetic and occupational changes permanently recorded on bones and teeth. Further, he searches through archaeological anthropology for evidence that may fine-tune our knowledge on gender roles, and of the decorum and symbolism of burial customs and practices, always considering and juxtaposing where available with literary and historic records, as well as the rest of the archaeological record.

• By (author) Anagnostis P. Agelarakis