Royal Tombs of Selca e Poshtme
Encyclopedia
The Illyrian Tombs of Selca e Poshtme are located near the town of Pogradec
in Albania
near the village of Selcë e Poshtme.
On the right bank of the river Shkumbin at an elevation of 1040 m above sea level, lie the remains of the ancient city of Pelion and the accompanying necropolis. The Roman Via Egnatia
led past it towards Thessaloniki
.
The earliest occupation of the site took place in the Neolithic place and culminated in the Illyrian tribe of Enchele
in the later Iron Age and Roman
period in a municipal building. Of the 4th - 1st century BC the city was the royal residence of Illyrian kings and therefore, also probably an important political and economic center. In 1996, Albania
included the Royal tombs of Selca e Poshtme in the UNESCO
World heritage list of proposals.
.
City has five films of colonization. The Selca I to III are at the proto-urban phase and are divided into: late Neolithic, early Bronze Age
and Late Bronze Age, all represented by different ceramic forms. From the Iron Age there is a permanent settlement to speak of.
Around 570 BC/550 BC it slowly came to the city Selca IV caused by traces of burnt huts, pottery, local hub for goods and Corinthian import goods in the lower horizon is represented and ionic. In the upper horizon, local, red-brown painted pottery, wheel made pottery with two handles and Ionic and Attic products were found. The local ceramic producers particularly liked Greek models and were influenced by their style. The settlement expanded from six hectares and reached in its main phase (3rd to 1st century BC) a size of seven to eight hectares. In order to make possible the development involved on the terrain, terraces had been created. In the 4th and 3rd century the place was surrounded by a wall that enclosed only the acropolis, but not the populated terraces.
During Roman times, in the 2nd and 1st century BC, they erected a wall of rectangular stone blocks, for a larger protected territory. The place was in late antiquity, of 4th to 6th century AD, further more expanded, but the populated area was comprised on two acres. For the construction of houses would then be used stones of the ancient Roman freestone. On the basis of coin finds are two elements Bauhorizonte ascertained. The first dates from the time of Valentinian I
(364-375 AD), the second is from the time of Justinian I (518 - 565 AD). To 547/548 AD the city had been of particular economic and political importance before the Slavs conquered it.
is warped about the grave chamber
, whose height is 2.10m. The facility is carved into the rock and has two doors. Outside of the door there is a rain gutter and mortises. Four pilasters with capitals that resemble the Ionic order
decorate the facade on which traces of painting can still be determined. In the grave chamber, with dimensions 3 m by 2.80 m, with two 1-meter-wide stone beds equipped, rested the dead body. This grave is oriented towards the Macedonian
monumental tomb from the 2nd half of the 4th century BC and is deprived of any antique remain.
. Eight pilasters whose capitals were made separately adorn the entrance. Left of it there is a niche in which a relief is engraved with Bucranion and a helmet of the type Pergoma. On the right is the relief of the Illyrian-Macedonian shield
. The floor of the apparent tomb was equipped with a floor mosaic. The grave chamber was located under the floor. It has the dimensions 2.72 m by 2.77 m and 1.85 m has a high barrel vault. In the chamber they found two sarcophagi. A second burial period belong to the 10 body or urn burials within the chamber. They date in the last decades of the 3rd century. and include a lot of grave goods. It is believed here the tomb of a rich family (princely family), which is extinct in a short period of time. Among the grave goods are golden earrings, necklaces, pins, rings, all from the Hellenistic type, belt fitting, iron, a silver ornament depicting a battle scene, armors, spear points and 30 ceramic vessels.
of stone slabs, robbed old. The grave dates from the 2nd half of the 3rd century BC. In the long facade seven niches are carved into the rock, partially covered with inscriptions that could have been made by the builder or the work supervisor, according to archaeologists. They date from the 1st century BC
, were built of upright stone blocks. They were used primarily for body burials. Later, urns and grave goods were laid in the sarcophagus. The grave was robbed in antiquity.
Pogradec
Pogradec is a city in southeastern Albania, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is the capital of the District of Pogradec, in the County of Korçë, located at 40.87°N and 20.70°E with a population of around 30,000 . The total area of the district is 725 km². Pogradec alone occupies about...
in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
near the village of Selcë e Poshtme.
On the right bank of the river Shkumbin at an elevation of 1040 m above sea level, lie the remains of the ancient city of Pelion and the accompanying necropolis. The Roman Via Egnatia
Via Egnatia
The Via Egnatia was a road constructed by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It crossed the Roman provinces of Illyricum, Macedonia, and Thrace, running through territory that is now part of modern Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, Greece, and European Turkey.Starting at Dyrrachium on the...
led past it towards Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
.
The earliest occupation of the site took place in the Neolithic place and culminated in the Illyrian tribe of Enchele
Enchele
The Enchelei , were an Illyrian tribe, in the 8th and 7th centuries BC, living around the region of Lake Ohrid in Albania and the Republic of Macedonia. They were often at war for domination of the region with the ancient Macedonians who settled in the east...
in the later Iron Age and Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
period in a municipal building. Of the 4th - 1st century BC the city was the royal residence of Illyrian kings and therefore, also probably an important political and economic center. In 1996, Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
included the Royal tombs of Selca e Poshtme in the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World heritage list of proposals.
The settlement
From 1969 to 1972 excavations were conducted by the Albanian archaeologist Neritan CekaNeritan Ceka
Neritan Ceka is an Albanian archaeologist and Professor of Archaeology. He has actively participated in politics since 1991 and was a presidential candidate and is now leader of the Democratic Alliance Party....
.
City has five films of colonization. The Selca I to III are at the proto-urban phase and are divided into: late Neolithic, early Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
and Late Bronze Age, all represented by different ceramic forms. From the Iron Age there is a permanent settlement to speak of.
Around 570 BC/550 BC it slowly came to the city Selca IV caused by traces of burnt huts, pottery, local hub for goods and Corinthian import goods in the lower horizon is represented and ionic. In the upper horizon, local, red-brown painted pottery, wheel made pottery with two handles and Ionic and Attic products were found. The local ceramic producers particularly liked Greek models and were influenced by their style. The settlement expanded from six hectares and reached in its main phase (3rd to 1st century BC) a size of seven to eight hectares. In order to make possible the development involved on the terrain, terraces had been created. In the 4th and 3rd century the place was surrounded by a wall that enclosed only the acropolis, but not the populated terraces.
During Roman times, in the 2nd and 1st century BC, they erected a wall of rectangular stone blocks, for a larger protected territory. The place was in late antiquity, of 4th to 6th century AD, further more expanded, but the populated area was comprised on two acres. For the construction of houses would then be used stones of the ancient Roman freestone. On the basis of coin finds are two elements Bauhorizonte ascertained. The first dates from the time of Valentinian I
Valentinian I
Valentinian I , also known as Valentinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 364 to 375. Upon becoming emperor he made his brother Valens his co-emperor, giving him rule of the eastern provinces while Valentinian retained the west....
(364-375 AD), the second is from the time of Justinian I (518 - 565 AD). To 547/548 AD the city had been of particular economic and political importance before the Slavs conquered it.
The Graves
The so-called royal tombs are located under the Acropolis, carved into the rock, and created during the reign of the Illyrian kings (4th to 3rd century BC)Grave I - Rock chamber grave with Ionic wall (4th - 3rd century BC)
It has a rectangular grave chamber and before that a kind of anteroom. The grave itself measures 8.15 m by 4 m and has a height of 2.40 m. A barrel vaultBarrel vault
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design...
is warped about the grave chamber
Chamber
Chamber may refer to:*Chamber , a Marvel Comics superhero associated with the X-Men*Chamber , the portion of the barrel or firing cylinder in which the cartridge is inserted prior to being fired...
, whose height is 2.10m. The facility is carved into the rock and has two doors. Outside of the door there is a rain gutter and mortises. Four pilasters with capitals that resemble the Ionic order
Ionic order
The Ionic order forms one of the three orders or organizational systems of classical architecture, the other two canonic orders being the Doric and the Corinthian...
decorate the facade on which traces of painting can still be determined. In the grave chamber, with dimensions 3 m by 2.80 m, with two 1-meter-wide stone beds equipped, rested the dead body. This grave is oriented towards the Macedonian
Ancient Macedonians
The Macedonians originated from inhabitants of the northeastern part of the Greek peninsula, in the alluvial plain around the rivers Haliacmon and lower Axios...
monumental tomb from the 2nd half of the 4th century BC and is deprived of any antique remain.
Grave II - Theater grave (mid-3rd century BC)
It has a scholastic-like complex with two step-like arranged rows of seats that could have served for any dead ceremonies. Below the level of the orchestra is a common grave for urns, with the dimensions 0.80 times 0.80 meters. The top plate to the chamber is missing. Maybe that grave was once marked with a light roof structure. It is unique in its shape and is in the middle of the 3rd century dates.Grave III - Central grave (mid 3rd century BC)
This grave is divided on two levels. The upper level is an apparent grave, whose facade 3 m high and 6.4 m long, and imitating an Ionic porticoPortico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
. Eight pilasters whose capitals were made separately adorn the entrance. Left of it there is a niche in which a relief is engraved with Bucranion and a helmet of the type Pergoma. On the right is the relief of the Illyrian-Macedonian shield
Shield
A shield is a type of personal armor, meant to intercept attacks, either by stopping projectiles such as arrows or redirecting a hit from a sword, mace or battle axe to the side of the shield-bearer....
. The floor of the apparent tomb was equipped with a floor mosaic. The grave chamber was located under the floor. It has the dimensions 2.72 m by 2.77 m and 1.85 m has a high barrel vault. In the chamber they found two sarcophagi. A second burial period belong to the 10 body or urn burials within the chamber. They date in the last decades of the 3rd century. and include a lot of grave goods. It is believed here the tomb of a rich family (princely family), which is extinct in a short period of time. Among the grave goods are golden earrings, necklaces, pins, rings, all from the Hellenistic type, belt fitting, iron, a silver ornament depicting a battle scene, armors, spear points and 30 ceramic vessels.
Grave IV (2nd half of the 3rd century BC)
Grave IV consists of a 70 m long, worked in the stone facade, the 5 m high and a grave chamber on the south side of the facade. This chamber is decorated with a temple-like entrance with two pillars. Herself measures 3.50 times 3.10 m and is covered by a barrel vault. The walls were decorated with frescoes. The chamber contains a sarcophagusSarcophagus
A sarcophagus is a funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved or cut from stone. The word "sarcophagus" comes from the Greek σαρξ sarx meaning "flesh", and φαγειν phagein meaning "to eat", hence sarkophagus means "flesh-eating"; from the phrase lithos sarkophagos...
of stone slabs, robbed old. The grave dates from the 2nd half of the 3rd century BC. In the long facade seven niches are carved into the rock, partially covered with inscriptions that could have been made by the builder or the work supervisor, according to archaeologists. They date from the 1st century BC
Grave V (late 3rd century)
The last grave has the shape of a Macedonian tomb chamber and consists of pre-chamber and the actual grave chamber, both covered and tons of built in ashlar construction. A stone slab with relief serves as a false door to the grave chamber. In the chamber itself are the remains of three sarcophagi KlineKline
- Places :* Klinë, a.k.a. Klina, in KosovoUnited States:* Kline, Colorado* Kline, Iowa, in Des Moines County, Iowa* Kline, Louisiana, in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana* Kline, Pennsylvania, in Clarion County, Pennsylvania* Kline Township, Pennsylvania...
, were built of upright stone blocks. They were used primarily for body burials. Later, urns and grave goods were laid in the sarcophagus. The grave was robbed in antiquity.