Geophysical Survey and Archaeological Excavations at the Roman Period Cemetery in Nezabylice (Chomutov District, Northwest Bohemia)

Abstract

This article presents the results of geophysical surveys, which were carried out during the period between 2011 and 2016 at the Roman period cemetery in Nezabylice (Chomutov district, Usti Region, NW Bohemia). Thanks to these non-destructive surveys, the unusually large scale and signs of the inner structure of the cemetery have been unveiled. On this basis, long-term systematic archaeological research has been carried out, so far uncovering a number of urn graves with military equipment, pit cremation graves, an elite inhumation grave, and several regular structures from Roman period. The results of the comprehensive research suggest that it is the largest and richest cemetery of the Roman period in northwest Bohemia. However, the site is gradually being devastated not only by cyclical agrarian activities but also by the impact of illegal plundering. Therefore, an important aspect of non-destructive surveys is the recording of the current state of the burial ground, the information value of which is gradually degrading.