alike were equipped with imported pottery vessels (Rhodianbucchero,
Korinthian, Ionian and Attic) and regionally produced bowls and cups;
clay statuettes showing a well-defined range of gods and goddesses;
bronze trefoil jugs,lebetesandphialai,as well as the distinctive miniature
iron vehiclesfirst encountered at Sindos.^34
The excavators subdivided the contents of the male graves according
to the presence or absence of arms. A minority of male burials in the
sample (11 out of 77, or 14 per cent) lacked weapons altogether. Of the
remaining 66 individuals, 24 (36 per cent) were equipped with a spear
and knife, 29 (44 per cent) with a sword, spear or spears and knife, and
11 (17 per cent) with a helmet, sword, spear, and knife. Finally, there are
two burials containing in both cases a bronze shield, as well as a helmet,
sword, spears, and knives. Each of these groups had a corresponding set
of ceramic equipment, with the lowest ranking group accompanied by
pottery drinking sets, or narrow-necked vessels containing aromatic oils.
The higher ranking groups, beginning with the sword burials, were
accompanied by bronze drinking sets and dress ornaments (iron and
some silverfibulae; silver and bronze rings), as well as mouth pieces
made of thin silver or gilded sheets, in some cases made of sheet gold.
Typically, a pair of spears was laid on either side of the head of the
deceased, with the sword placed diagonally across the chest.
The highest-ranking group displayed the highest degree of individu-
ality in terms of active selection. The occupant of Tomb 9, for example,
was equipped with a bronze Illyrian-style helmet, laid on one side of his
head, an Ioniankylix, an iron spear head, a gold diadem decorated with
geometric patterns, and a gold ring on onefinger of his right hand. An
iron sword, the hilt of which was decorated with gold foil, was laid
diagonally across his chest. A second spearhead was located near his
right leg. He had been laid in the grave wearing garments decorated with
sheet-gold strips and other gold stamps bearing rosettes. In addition, he
was accompanied by several iron knives, the iron felloes of a miniature
two-wheeled cart, with leadfittings and miniature furniture, together
with an assortment of clay statuettes of animals, including a lion’s head
and a dog, bronze and clay drinking vessels, and twoaryballoi, probably
containing perfumed oils. This was but one of a small group of tombs
that were exceptionally rich and varied in their contents (including
Tombs 83, 131, 145, 189, 194, and 239).^35
(^34) Despini et al. 1995.
(^35) Chrysostomou and Chrysostomou 2007, 120–9 with detailed descriptions of
contents.
314 Continuity and commemoration