Ceramic Fragments with Christian Graffiti from Mediaeval Burials in the Crimea

The thirteenth and fourteenth century Christian burials in the the south-western Crimea and Sudak contained the fragments of wheel-made vessels and building ceramic ware showing the graffiti drawn on baked clay in the form of a simple cross (type 1), a cross with two-line formula “IC XC NIKA” (type 2) inscribed between the arms, or the formula “IC XC NIKA” written in one line (type 3). These graffiti were applied to ceramic shards specifically for burials; the finds of this kind are not known in cultural layers of the settlements. The graffiti of type 1 replaced underwear crosses worn during the human’s life and served as apotropaic amulets for the dead. In the graves, they were placed under the lower jaw, at the neck or head of the deceased person. The formula “IC XC NIKA” is a partially abbreviated form of the Greek “Ἰησοῦς Χριστòς νίκα” (“Jesus Christ, conquer”) or “ Ἰησοῦς Χριστòς νίκᾷ” (“Jesus Christ conquers”). It is accepted that this formula first appeared in 720 on the coins of Leo III and his son Constantine IV and proclaimed the victory of the Byzantines over the Arabs under the protection of Christ and His Cross. Later on, imperial connotations of triumph and victory gave way to a more modest prayer for help and protection from the forces of evil. In the Crimea, the formula “IC XC NIKA” occurred from the late eighth century in building inscriptions, on architectural details, tombstones, and individual worship objects. From the thirteenth century on, the formula “IC XC NIKA” combined with a cross or independently appeared in burials: on slabs placed vertically at the eastern end of the grave so that the face of the deceased was turned to the image, or on ceramic shards that covered the mouth or neck of the deceased. The artefacts featuring this image were placed mainly in the burials of untimely departed persons: children, teenagers, or those who suffered from serious illnesses during their lifetime. The rite of placing ceramic fragments with Christian graffiti into burials for protection and scaring away evil spirits is documented in the Crimea in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, though in Byzantium it appeared from the tenth century on.