Özet:

This research studied 126 graves and 166 skeletons which were brought to light between 2000-2003 in the Byzantine Era Churches of Sts Constantine and Helena from the Middle Ages at Niğde Aktaş village. By looking at the types of graves, grave goods and age groups, many variables were compared. Tthe study tried to identify the social status of the Andaval society and also tried to show whether there are any differences in the society or not. Inside and around the church, 7 different types of graves were found and defined. The most preferred and most common types of grave are Cut-Stone Sanduka, Rubble-Stone Sanduka and Composite Graves. A relationship between the types of graves and places of graves was observed; however, it could not be put forward statistically. The age, sex and diseases of the population were identified and, it was found that the sample is represented by infants, children and adolescents with a high percent of 62. It was found out that age groups were buried in different places of the church. So, the 67 percent of infants, children and adolescents were buried in places out of the church. Grave goods were categorized according to the types of graves and age groups, it was set forth that only 33% had grave goods and they are found mostly in Composite Graves. In terms of grave types and remains of skeletons buried in Church of Sts. Constantine and Helena, no significant difference to help identify the social status was found. As a conclusion, the fact that the Church is on the Holy Pilgrimage Path explains deaths of many infants and children who become more vulnerable as a result of the tough journey conditions and epidemic diseases.This research studied 126 graves and 166 skeletons which were brought to light between 2000-2003 in the Byzantine Era Churches of Sts Constantine and Helena from the Middle Ages at Niğde Aktaş village. By looking at the types of graves, grave goods and age groups, many variables were compared. The study tried to identify the social status of the Andaval society and also tried to show whether there are any differences in the society or not. Inside and around the church, 7 different types of graves were found and defined. The most preferred and most common types of grave are Cut-Stone Sanduka, Rubble-Stone Sanduka and Composite Graves. A relationship between the types of graves and places of graves was observed; however, it could not be put forward statistically. The age, sex and diseases of the population were identified and, it was found that the sample is represented by infants, children and adolescents with a high percent of 62. It was found out that age groups were buried in different places of the church. So, the 67 percent of infants, children and adolescents were buried in places out of the church. Grave goods were categorized according to the types of graves and age groups, it was set forth that only 33% had grave goods and they are found mostly in Composite Graves. In terms of grave types and remains of skeletons buried in Church of Sts. Constantine and Helena, no significant difference to help identify the social status was found. As a conclusion, the fact that the Church is on the Holy Pilgrimage Path explains deaths of many infants and children who become more vulnerable as a result of the tough journey conditions and epidemic diseases.

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