Roman-era cremation used ‘magic barrier’ to keep angry dead from rising and ‘returning’

Under the Roman empire, Sagalassos grew in importance. It was particularly favoured, in fact, by the Emperor Hadrian, who named it the “first city of Pisidia”.

The city acquired the culture of the empire, and its buildings — including a bath complex and a large, open-air theatre — were all constructed in the Roman style.

The researchers said: “The site was badly damaged by an earthquake in the seventh century AD. Following abandonment, the site was never intensively robbed for building materials.

“Since most archaeological contexts are sealed beneath protective layers of collapse, Sagalassos offers a significant albeit challenging opportunity for interdisciplinary research.”

As part of the Sagalassos Archaeological Research Project, Mr Claeys and his colleagues were excavating on the outskirts of the dig site when they stumbled across evidence of a Roman-era cremation.

READ MORE: Phallic symbol is unearthed by archaeologists near Hadrian’s Wall

Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1746519/archaeology-news-roman-cremation-rising-dead-turkey