Based upon the scant traces of gold found with the remains, it is likely that the person originally buried here was most likely a middle class citizen. The amount of gold in these remains is surely too small for any sort of extravagant jewelry. Due to gold's high melting point (approximately 1000 degrees C.), any large pieces of jewelry she might have been wearing at the time of her funeral would be more intact. Possibly the gold which survives here was part of the fabric of her clothing.
Some remains of glass ungentaria and carved bone were also present in the urn.** Ungentaria, or "tear bottles", were commonly placed with the body before cremation. These vessels frequently contained ritual oils and perfumes. The original nature and purpose of the carved bone fragments, however, are still undetermined. These may have come from a cosmetic box, candle holder, or musical instrument.
**Please note: this "assemblage" was created solely for educational purposes. While the cremation urn KM 2903 and its contents may reflect an actual burial (it was purchased in the 1920's in Puteoli, Italy), the other objects in this "assemblage" (columbarium, inscription, and melted glass) do not come from the same archaeological context. A full explanation of this class project is found on the introductory page for this website.