A Fourth-Century Tomb at Argos: A Contribution to the Study of Local Pottery and Burial Customs

Abstract

This article deals with the finds from a cist grave which is located in the bed of the River Xerias at Argos. The grave was in use during the fourth century bc for multiple burials, a usual practice for Argive cemeteries. The burials are presented in chronological order based on the interpretation of the excavation data and the chronology of the pottery. The finds from the grave reveal hitherto unknown burial practices at Argos; however, our limited knowledge on the cemeteries of the Late Classical period impedes assessment of them. The study of the vases from the tomb illuminates the otherwise unknown makeup of the local workshops in the fourth century bc, where influences from abroad coexist harmoniously alongside experimentation and novelty.

Corinthian Pyxis: A Relative Dating and Contextual Analysis of Origin

“…Slane (2017, 229) explains "earlier graves normally contained several vessels, placed inside the burial container and intended to accompany and nourish the deceased," and were more than likely owned by the individual whose grave it resided in, as burying an individual along with possessions was still practiced as a sign of wealth during the Early Corinthian period. In particular, pyxide jars have often been found within gravesites as gifts that would have been buried along with the deceased individual (Alexandropoulou 2016). Pyxide jars are relatively common excavated artifacts, and if discovered within a gravesite are indicative that the burial site was for a female, as Corinthian-type pyxides are consistently associated with women (Pemberton 2000).…”

“…The Hardy Museum's pyxis jar is likely to come from some sort of funerary context as it is very structurally sound. Male and female gravesites vary, primarily, in terms of what type of grave goods were buried, and while this does vary throughout time (eastern trading and loss of resources), females where often buried along with personal items such as pyxide jars (Alexandropoulou 2016). Pyxide jars would have been used, typically by a woman, to store toiletries due to their size, lining, and lid.…”