Burials of the Byzantine Near East (Fourth-Seventh Centuries)

Clark, Laura Marie (2024). Burials of the Byzantine Near East (Fourth-Seventh Centuries). University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Research on burials of the Byzantine Near East has focused on a transformation from ‘pagan’ to ‘Christian’ beliefs, the simplicity of Christian burial, and exceptional examples. To date, a large-scale data study on the Byzantine burials of this region has not been undertaken. This thesis provides the first big data study on burials of the Near East between 330 CE and the Arab invasions in the seventh century. The study explores different aspects related to burial and their study: tomb types, cemetery organisation, human remains and their study, grave goods, inscriptions, and iconography. These aspects are situated in a series of case studies that show the value in careful and detailed analysis. Two chapters are also dedicated to the study of human remains, which is identified as a key weakness in the current state of Byzantine studies.
This thesis offers a systematic critique of current theories which view early Christian burials as simplified forms of burial that focused heavily on the new religion’s death beliefs and altered or opposed previous ‘pagan’ forms of burial. It stresses the need for a deeper understanding of what was fundamentally important to burial. This is carried out through a large-scale study that provides a general sense of the experience of death and burial to Byzantine people. This study demonstrates the agency of individuals related to burial decisions and allows for a discussion of societal trends in burial.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):