The hypogeum in Constanta

Discovered by accident in 1988, this burial site dating from the 5th c. AD features some unique mural paintings.

Christine Leșcu, 08.03.2014, 13:50

In 1988, during the construction works on a big boulevard in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta, a genuine archaeological treasure was discovered: an ancient burial chamber, which was found in mint condition. It seems that it belonged to a wealthy family, which used to live in the 4th- 5th centuries in the former ancient city of Tomis, on the site of what is today known as Constanta. Except for six skeletons, nothing else was found in the tomb. The beauty and uniqueness of the chamber lies in its mural paintings, which feature very well preserved images and colours. Constantin Chera, from the History and Archaeology Museum in Constanta was there in 1988 when the hypogeum was discovered and described it for us:

“It is a burial chamber, probably built around the year 430 AD, judging by the decorative elements found inside. Until 1988 when it was discovered, no one had opened it. Two layers of funerary deposits were found inside, one of which was intact. We didn’t find too many objects inside, probably because the tomb belonged to a Christian family from Tomis, but this is not sure yet. We didn’t find any explicit Christian symbols on the walls, but there are many decorative elements that were taken over by Christian iconography. We cannot clearly state, though, that it was indeed a family of Christians. At the time, Christians were still being persecuted, despite the proclamation of the Edict of Milan by Emperor Constantine the Great in 313 AD, which recognised Christianity as one of the religions of the Roman Empire.”

The word “hypogeum” has a Greek origin and means “underground”. None of the other hypogea found in the area, some of which were reused as burial places, features a similar mural painting as the hypogeum in Constanta. The archaeologist Constantin Chera explains:

“One of the walls depicts a funeral banquet, a scene which can be associated with today’s practice of giving alms and holding a memorial for the dead. The funeral banquet in question is held around a circular table, where six little bread baskets were placed. Two of the figures even hold cups in their hands, while to the left and right of the image we find the host, the person who gives the funeral banquet and his domestic slave tending to the guests seated at the funeral table. On the other walls we can see two peacocks, which symbolise immortality, eating pomegranates from a basket. Above the entrance, there are four pigeons drinking water from a kantharos, a deep vessel common at the time. The western wall features four partridges sitting around a kantharos in a landscape with poppies. These scenes are very significant, being taken over from pre-Christian iconography, from the Hellenistic and Roman ages, but we are still trying to find a scientifically accurate interpretation of them.”

Such work of art needs to be preserved in special conditions, so for the time being the site is not open to the public. The archaeologist Constantin Chera explains:

“We did everything we could to preserve the site in the condition in which it was found 1,600 years after being created. We covered the chamber made of stone and brick with a layer of earth, to preserve the microclimate conditions and prevent sudden changes in temperature and humidity levels. The site has been preserved in the condition we found it, but for a few interventions from restorers, who managed to stabilise and clean the painting. At the moment, the burial chamber is protected by a temporary insulating structure. “

This temporary solution should last until the required funding is found to provide more appropriate protection for the hypogeum in Constanta.