Hellenistic Funerary Culture in Pergamon and the Aeolis

An important aspect to understand ancient societies is the study of their funeral practices. These practices not only provide insights into the ideas about the afterlife, but also for understanding social, political, and cultural developments.

Therefore, we are pleased to announce the publication of a new volume relevant to research on Hellenistic Asia Minor and funerary archaeology by Felix Pirson and Stéphane Verger (editors).

The 20th volume of the Pergamenische Forschungen brings together sixteen contributions examining funerary landscapes, inscriptions, human remains, and burial practices in Pergamon and the Aeolian cities of Aigai, Kyme, and Elaia, as well as in Mytilene and Antandros. The necropoleis and burial mounds of this region serve as an important basis for understanding social, political, and cultural developments in Hellenistic Asia Minor.

The contributions outline common features of funerary culture across the region while also identifying local differences in commemorative practices. With its historical and landscape-oriented focus, the volume offers the first comparative regional study of Hellenistic funerary culture in Asia Minor. By applying an interdisciplinary definition of funerary archaeology, it provides perspectives for future work on death, memory, and social identities based on a broad range of evidence.

The publication Hellenistic Funerary Culture in Pergamon and the Aeolis: A Collection of Current Approaches and New Results is available online via the iDAI.publications platform.