Terracotta and glass unguentaria from the burials of Late Antique and Early Byzantine Sardinia

Muresu Marco

First

2024-01-01

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Abstract

This chapter aims to present an overview of the terracotta and glass unguentaria found in Sardinia during the archaeological excavation of burial contexts, dating from Late Antiquity to the Early Byzantine period (fourth to seventh centuries CE), focusing on their role as funerary goods, especially in the context of the other elements of the funerary equipment, and developing an analysis of their diffusion in Sardinia. Studies show that unguentaria and balsamaria in Sardinia continued until the second century CE, but decreased starting from the next century until the fourth century CE, with few examples continuing until the sixth century CE.