Topografia e sviluppo della necropoli meridionale di Herakleia

Abstract

The present paper aims to investigate the spatial structure of the so-called South Necropolis of Herakleia from the
beginnings of the 4th century to the Late Hellenistic period. On the basis of spatial analysis, it is possible to identify
tomb clusters that might reflect social and/or family structures. The author argues further that burial rites and grave
goods are not primarily or exclusively indicators of status and gender, but reflect religious beliefs and attitudes towards
death and the afterlife. In the case of cremation burials, purification seems to have been a major concern, as indicated by the analysis of tomb groups.