Life and Death in Ancient Ugarit
Houses and Tombs in Bronze Age Ugarit
Houses in Ugarit
Archaeologists have identified residential areas in the north and east of the city. The north accommodated the high status residential areas. In he east was the commercial district where artisans such as weavers and potters lived and worked.
The houses in these areas reflected their differing social situations. However, they also shared several features. All had a water supply of some sort. They were constructed of stone and wood, with at least two floors for the living occupants of the household. They also had an underground vault, which was used not for storage or as a cellar but as the family mausoleum.
The Ground Floor
Entry to houses was through a stone tiled corridor. In higher status homes this would open onto a hall. Otherwise, it led into the main rooms of the house which were generally utilitarian in function. Whatever the status of the house, this was the public zone. Here, the trade of the occupants would be carried out, as well being the location of the kitchen and bathroom if the house was equipped with one.
The Upper Floors
Remains of staircases indicate upper floors were normal in the houses of Ugarit. These first floor areas were for private use by the family. Here they had their bedrooms and entertained close friends. In the houses of the wealthy, the first floor would have been the location for the library. It was quite common for the well to do to keep records of their business transactions in their homes, as well as general reference materials. The house of Ortonou was the home of a wealthy merchant. Recently discovered and excavated, his library included tablets relating to his business ventures and established that he had close links with the royal family of Ugarit. Likewise the library in the House of Rapanu, a prominent man and writer, was huge and composed of encyclopaedias containing the names of animals, Ugarit’s deities and dictionaries of the language
The mausoleums
It was the norm for families to dispose of their dead in this way. To date, over 200 crypts have been found in Ugarit. Each one has been found under a house. Dating from the mid to late Bronze Age, it seems that during this period at least, it was usual in Ugarit for the living and dead to remain in such close proximity.
Entrance to the crypt was via a descending stairway in the garden area of the house. A descending corridor would then lead into the tomb. Each tomb was generally rectangular in shape, built to arch upwards into a dome that was capped at the summit with a T shaped stone.
Wall apertures were put in place for grave goods. These have been found to include ceramics, glass, vases, gold and silver jewellery, bronze wares and weapons. The selection found are by no means a complete representation of what the dead would have been buried with as it is clear many tombs have been robbed.
The Importance of Ancestors
Possible reasons why family’s kept their dead so close are suggested in some of Ugarit’s many religious records. A cuneiform tablet referring to the funeral of one of Ugarit’s Kings, Niqmad, dating from the between 1225-1220 BC includes a song which indicates the importance of deceased family members. The ancestors, viewed as demi gods, are invited to attend the king’s funeral. The dead were clearly seen to have evolved to another state. However, they still had a role in the family. It would therefore be natural to keep them close at hand.
Sources
Ugarit: History and Archaeology by Jamal Hassan Haydar
Monuments of Syria: A Historical Guide by Ross Burns. I. B Tauris Publishers. London: New York.1999.
