MEDIEVAL NECROPOLIS IN THE VILLAGE OF GAZDARE

Abstract

The paper presents the results of recue archaeological excavations of the site of St. Panteleimon Church (known as St. Petka Church in the literature) in the village of Gazdare in the Municipality of Medveđa. The excavations in 2002 and 2018 were realized due to the construction of new church. A total of 122 graves were recorded at the necropolis. The graves are oriented west-east. Graves belonging to the younger horizon were covered with roughly processed stone slabs. The deceased were buried into the grave in a simple manner. Archaeological finds were recorded in a total of 18 graves, mostly belonging to the earlier horizon of burials: beads and buttons, earrings, bracelets, rings and ceramic vessels. The custom of placing coins which served as toll for after-life was recorded in two graves – silver coins of Jacob in grave 65 and a billon aspron trachy of Andronikos I in grave 99. Remnants of rectangular shaped foundations with narthex and a shallow apse, belonging to an earlier church from the 15th century, were recorded during the excavations. The church was erected above the earlier horizon of burials, which is dated to the 12th and 13th century AD. The church was renewed in 1662, as evidenced by a Cyrillic inscription which was found in 2017. Based on the finds of coins and jewelry, as well as the burial custom, two horizons of burials could be defined at the necropolis. The earliest horizon belongs to the 12th and the 13th century AD, and the younger horizon is attributed to the 14th and the 15th century AD. The remains of the church which were recorded during the excavations are concurrent with the younger horizon of burials. The settlement was probably located in the vicinity, although the traces of the settlement have not been recorded.