Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean

Burying the dead at the Red Sea coast: Bioarchaeological research in Lower Aynuna in the 2015–2017 seasons of fieldwork

2020, 29, No. 1

Joanna A. Ciesielska

0000-0001-8087-3079

DOI

10.31338/uw.2083-537X.pam29.1.04

Publication date

31.12.2020

Publishing model

open access

License type

CC BY 4.0 Int.

Field

Humanities

Discipline

archeology

Language of publication

English

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Abstract

The archaeological site of Aynuna, located in northwestern Saudi Arabia, is believed to be the ancient Leuke Kome, a port linked by a caravan route with the Nabatean capital Petra. Architectural remains suggest that it may be identified as an emporion, a trading outpost receiving freight from foreign lands to be transmitted further north. Archaeological excavations conducted by the Saudi-Polish Archaeological Mission have revealed the existence of multiple burials, not only within the cemeteries, but also inside buildings dated from the 1st to the 7th centuries AD. Most of the tombs were ransacked and the burials were almost completely destroyed. There is some internal uniformity in terms of the architectural outline of the tombs, but otherwise the two cemeteries, Necropoleis 1 and 2, show no mutual similarities, which may indicate a different dating or cultural affinity. Meanwhile, better preserved human remains from inside the buildings can probably be dated to the early Islamic period. Two large stone cairns, containing three burials, were situated in the middle of the courtyard of Khan 1. However, most of the burials were interred directly on the walking level in Khans 1, 4, and 5, and covered with stone rubble. While three out of four burials presented a position of the body extended on its back, the head facing southeast, and provided with a stone installation to protect the remains. In the case of the fourth, a pregnant woman, the skeleton was found lying face down, calling into question the intentionality of the burial.

Keywords:

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