L’inumazione in 'spazio urbano' a Cartagine tra V e VII secolo D.C.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the phenomenon of burials in urban areas in North Africam in partuckar of Carthage during the Vandal and the Byzantine period. The analysis seems to show that in the Vandal period the very few recorded tombs were randomly located in completely abandoned sectors of the city. Later in the early Byzantine period it seems possible to suggest a period of reorganization, with burials loacted in proximity of churches. Starting from the end of the 6th and the 7th century AD the situation seems to change and a larger number of burials in small groups are recorded, usually located in connection with the living and industrial areas. In the same period well organised cemeteries inside the city wall have also been excavated, charcaterised by well constructed graves, mainly stone cists. This evidence seems to suggest the existence of a systematic and organised reuse of building material in the area.