These odd specimens were found to be shackled behind their backs and unceremoniously interred en masse in a group of 12 individuals. So the question naturally arises – why were they shackled? Now historically there are very rare evidences of such shackled deaths from the ancient times. Then-contemporary cultural norms usually equated the nature of being shackled to some rigorous punishment. The possibility also arises that a group of slaves were given the death sentence, and then buried in an intentionally deviant manner. In any case, the evidence of such a grisly practice does allude to the dark times when Athens had still not become the (self-proclaimed) bastion of civilized endeavors and politics. So from a historical perspective, this discovery might shed some light into the potential political (or societal) upheaval the city-state had to face before the emergence of a democratic scope.
Another example of a deviant burial inside the cemetery, exhibiting a prone position.
Suffice it to say, the Faliro Bioarchaeological Project researchers are still in the process of accumulating and analyzing the various clues and tokens that are spread across the ancient Greek cemetery ground that could attest to the rise and evolution of Athens as a powerful city-state. Furthermore, these experts are looking forth to compile a comprehensive database (and an accompanying website) that would allow other researchers from around the globe to access their discoveries and assessments. This in turn could set the tone for more technological involvement (like ancient DNA and isotope analyses) in the project, thus hinting at the possible solving of the Faliro mysteries in the near future.
An overview of the ancient Faliro cemetery.
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