Archaeologists in Romania have discovered an exceptionally preserved Roman sarcophagus containing the remains of a young child buried with toys, jewellery and floral offerings approximately 1,800 years ago.
The sarcophagus was discovered at the ancient city of Tomis, modern-day Constanța, on the western coast of the Black Sea.
Archaeologists from the National History and Archaeology Museum of Constanța (MINAC) uncovered the burial during preventative excavations ahead of construction work.
The tomb was found on the northern edge of the Roman necropolis, in an area used for burials during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.
According to archaeologists, it is the first well-preserved Roman child’s sarcophagus discovered at Tomis.
The small stone sarcophagus remained sealed, with lead clamps and mortar securing the lid. Because of its fragile condition and unusual preservation, archaeologists removed the entire burial to the museum before opening it under controlled conditions.
When the lid was lifted, researchers discovered the skeletal remains of a young child together with remarkably preserved organic materials.
These include parts of an inner wooden coffin, a burial shroud and plant remains interpreted as floral offerings. Leaves had even survived folded into small bundles.
The wooden coffin is particularly well preserved, with sections of its side panels and dovetail joints still intact.
Among the most striking grave goods are two clay toys placed alongside the child.
One depicts a small horse mounted on wheels, while the second is a rattle in the shape of a rooster.
Traces of painted decoration survive on both objects, while the rooster still contains small pieces of material inside that produce a rattling sound when moved.
The burial also contained several bronze objects and coins.
The child was wearing bronze bracelets and a necklace with two bullae – protective pendants closely associated with Roman childhood.
In Roman society, a bulla was an amulet traditionally worn by freeborn boys. It was intended to protect the child from harmful supernatural influences and was generally worn until the transition into adulthood.
However, archaeologists have not yet determined the biological sex of the individual. Further examination of the skeletal remains will be required before conclusions can be drawn from the presence of the pendants.
The child’s precise age is also uncertain.
The dimensions of the sarcophagus initially suggested an individual around four or five years old, although the inclusion of a rattle could indicate that the child was younger.
The quality of the sarcophagus and the range of objects deposited inside suggest that the child belonged to a relatively wealthy family.
Tomis was founded during the 6th century BC by Greek colonists from Miletus. Its position on the Black Sea, combined with routes connecting the coast with the Danube, gave the settlement considerable commercial importance.
The city came under Roman control in the late 1st century BC and subsequently developed into one of the region’s most important urban centres.
Tomis is also famous as the place of exile of the Roman poet Ovid, who was banished there by Emperor Augustus in AD 8.
Although Ovid described it as a frontier outpost, Tomis flourished under Roman rule and became the capital of Scythia Minor province.
The newly discovered burial offers an unusually intimate view of childhood, family life and funerary practices in the Roman city.
Objects connected with protection, identity and everyday life could be found in Roman children’s graves. In this case the combination of amulets, jewellery and recognisable toys may preserve aspects of both social status (the child) and short life span.
Anthropologists will now examine the skeletal remains in detail, and the exceptional organic materials and grave goods will need specialist conservation.
Analysis could clarify the child’s age and sex, refine the dating of the burial and tell us more about the family who put a wheeled horse and rattling rooster beside the child almost two millennia ago.
Sources : Constanța Museum of National History and Archaeology
