GRAVES WITH CEREMONIAL AND WORSHIP OBJECTS FROM THE KING’S SPRING NECROPOLIS IN ALBA IULIA, ALBA COUNTY

This article will focus on a very controversial subject related to the Christianization of Transylvania through a Byzantine pathway. The four worship objects, meaning three reliquary crosses and a small pectoral cross from the King’s spring necropolis in Alba Iulia, are solid proof a Byzantine mission in this area. The uniqueness of this necropolis comes from it being used by people from different ethnic communities (Magyars, Slavs, Romanic population) who were accepting Christianity. This is an area that catches best the passing from paganism to Christianity. Some local traditions and customs are kept (the presence of coal remains in the sepulchral pit, presence of ceramic offerings such as animal or egg offerings, the dressing of the pit with lithic material) together with the new Christian elements (position of the bodies, position of the arms). In addition to this there are several Byzantine objects and the funeral inventory (pentagram rings, cluster shaped earrings, pendants made using the granulation or the filigree technique). The renewal of Christianity in Transylvania is brought by the long disputed Hierotheus episode and the christianization of Gylas in Constantinople.