Open AccessAnthropomorphic amulets from Viminacium
Author(s) -
Bebina Milovanović,
Ilija Danković
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
starinar
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2406-0739
pISSN - 0350-0241
DOI - 10.2298/sta2070127m
Subject(s) - osteology , character (mathematics) , meaning (existential) , population , identification (biology) , order (exchange) , selection (genetic algorithm) , art , history , archaeology , ancient history , philosophy , biology , sociology , demography , computer science , ecology , geometry , mathematics , epistemology , finance , economics , artificial intelligence
The paper focuses on a group of five anthropomorphic pendants, deposited in graves of sub-adult and female individuals, discovered in cemeteries of ancient Viminacium (Serbia). The selection of raw materials (jet and amber), as well as other parts of the necklaces these pendants were incorporated in, suggest their apotropaic character. Various data sources have been employed in order to answer questions regarding the identification of the depicted beings, reasons for their usage by certain population groups, etc. A comparison has been made with analogous specimens from across the Roman world, which are not numerous but are prominently widespread. Three examples from Viminacium originate from recent archaeological campaigns, meaning that osteological material was available for analysis.