Abstract:

This study examines the child’s tomb and the finds from the tomb that was unearthed in the Bati Liman Necropolis, one of the cemeteries forming the Southern Necropolis lying to the south of the city of Cyme. The excavation of the child tomb was conducted by Izmir Museum in 2011 in the Bati Liman 1205 plot. This grave reveals new data on child burials in the Cyme Necropoleis. In addition, the tomb type used for this burial is different from the other tombs unearthed in the same necropolis, which makes this tomb unique. The rattle and animal figures (rooster, ram, pig) made from terra-cotta offered in the grave were evaluated as the context of the tomb and the grave goods were handled typologically. The finds were dated by comparison with similar examples in the region. Particularly each figure was examined symbolically, culturally and sociologically, trying to clarify the reasons why these particular gifts were offered, with the objective of placing them in a semantic framework. Overall, the grave gifts dated to the fifth century B.C. provide new contributions to both Cyme's coroplastic literature and to the child burial customs of the city.

Keywords: