The public cemetery of the ancient demos of Paiania in Attica and some observations on the ancient demoi and mortuary practices in Mesogaia, Attica

Abstract

In the present paper, an ancient cemetery, which came to light east of Paiania in Attica, on the site Agios Athanasios, and was excavated in 1969, is presented for the first time. It was an extended and densely used cemetery, but the excavated site was only a small part of a much wider cemetery, which belonged to the inhabitants or demotai of the demos of Paiania. The dating of the pottery allows us to date the cemetery mainly to the first half of the 5th century B.C., with few vases dating from mid–6th century B.C. through the 3rd quarter of the 5th century B.C. The cemetery is viewed within the historical frame of Mesogaia area and mortuary practices are placed in context within other cemeteries in southeastern Attica.