Janus Pannonius Múzeum Évkönyve 30-31 (1985-1986) (Pécs, 1987)

Régészet - Burger, Sz. Alice: The Roman Villa and Mausoleum at Kővágószőlős, near Pécs (Sopianae), Excavations 1977–1982

ROMAN VILLA AND MAUSOLEUM AT KOVAGOSZOLOS 179 Fig. 179. The mausoleum and the villa (1987), from the S has yielded coins dating from this period may also be taken to prove that the small chapel "stood the storms" of the years 361 — 363. Of the coins found in the 10 cm thick devastation layer in the lower painted burial-chamber, the latest date from 375 A.D. (Nos 129,130). However, the walls may have survived this period — this was indicated by the animal bones and the traces of fireplaces found in the corridor (F). The only known parallels of these finds are the animal bones left behind by the late 4—5th century population withdrawing to the "villa with mosaic flooring" discovered in 1975 (cf. 164) Comparable phenomena have also been observed in the Early Christian cemetery at Sopianae,

64

. Not improbably it were these people who first plundered the mausoleum and the brick grave, getting there ahead of the "visitors" in 1867

65

. The sarcophagus in the mausoleum in all probability contained the mortal remains of the parochial bishop. Although the bishopric in Sopianae has long been a topic of debate, its existence is by now a fact beyond dispute

66

. It is not at all unlikely that the acctivitie of bishop Paulus (Arian)

67 between 359—370 were confined to this area, i.e. the villa may have been his seat during the 4th century. Presumptuous as it may sound, the initials on the marking iron (P—Q) found in the area may also be associated with his name, especially in the light of the fact that the takings of the bishop comprised not only the offerings but also the proceeds of the large estate.

68 64 FÜLEP 1984. 283, Note 254, 295. 65 Cf. Notes 31-34 66 FÜLEP 1984. 42ff. 279f. 67 T. NAGY, 217. 68 DYGGVE 1951. 27. Note 32, et al.