The Phaleron Burial Ground D-Group Discovering Diversity

Abstract

During excavations of over 2,100 individuals at the Phaleron burial ground (PBG), archaeologists identified mortuary contexts that fell outside expected burial forms and designated these with the Greek letter Delta (Δ) or “D-Group.” In addition to the well-known Archaic Period “Esplanada” mass burials of 79 shackled young adult men, 84 individuals were interred in mass graves and single D-Group burial contexts at the PBG. Nearly all the individuals in mass burials are considered desmotes (δεσμώτες), bound captives or prisoners, identified by metal shackles or body positioning. While 40% of D-Group individuals were bound at the time of interment, the others were not, being considered distinctive solely based on body positioning falling outside expected forms, such as prone or tightly flexed. This article analyzes the cohesiveness of the PBG D-Group archaeological category, investigating internal variation of burial positions, demography, and paleopathology. Contextualized osteobiographies are integrated to reveal hidden complexities and explore connections between marginalization and violence during life and the distinctive burial forms representing their deaths.