A Slavic Cremation Grave from Lobor
Krešimir Filipec
During archaeological excavations at the site of Lobor, pilgrimage church Our Lady Mountain (Majka Božja Gorska), an urn with cremated remains a deceased individual was discovered in 2009. It found to south existing place where wooden had been discovered, which excavated completely. While emptying postholes church, were upsidedown pottery vessel containing ash, soot, and bones. Other than fragments vessels, no strata during that could be dated before beginning 9th century. In general few medieval vessels found, those fairly tiny. The established adult male confirm it served as urn. addition human vessel, there also cattle, sheep or goat, deer, pig. Individual small pieces animal bone evidently gathered placed together same after feast honor deceased. varied types animals consumed funeral indirectly indicate wealth family This must have well-to-do member Slavic community. indicated by very well-made Several tiny bronze objects layer surrounding urn, but only theoretically they belong contents variously decorated ruins church. already noted, not base posthole, rather somewhere its middle. Hence arrived this position erection prior placement beam. Soot ash burnt bones everywhere around posthole. is probable on occasion building century, cremation grave damaged post just next it. When demolished posts removed, fell into empty hole. fact destroyed immediately construction three-aisled basilica, basilica almost certainly stood until middle 10th century adjacent one another. Two silver denarii Hungarian King Stephen I, fill between graves located above perhaps period it’s demolition. Not single grave, other previously mentioned young girl apse layers can 13th built Early Christian one, occupied earlier pagan cemetery. Slavs their ruins. has situ due probably well long burial tradition took site. so far thanks fallen posthole preserved from possible later damage. Lobor should end 8th circumstances find allow us conclude (the having dislocated area Carolingian century) last such burials cemetery Lobor. generation, given changed political conditions under influence Frankish missionaries, inhumation ritual became predominant. more contribution knowledge about earliest customs Pannonian plain, further. An uninterrupted continuity 19th centuries now evident stratum preceded consisting his her