In the pre-Roman necropolises of Southern Italy it is not uncommon to find tombs where the deceased body is completely or partially absent. Such an evidence is usually attributed to the soil’s chemical characteristics and composition. This paper aims to reconsider the issue and the related archaeological evidences, by investigating the phenomenon’s possible causes and by trying to recognize the existence of specific funerary rituals connected with the partial or complete removal of the deceased’s body. In reviewing and analyzing a few cases of empty, looted, intact, "visited" tombs, with and without residual bones and goods, we aim to focus on the variety and significance of the native people’s funerary practices in Southern Italy throughout centuries and cultural boundaries
Rituali della morte nella Magna Grecia indigena. Sepolture senza corpo / Scalici M. - STAMPA. - I. Dalla Preistoria all'Ellenismo:(2018), pp. 03.33-03.42. (Intervento presentato al convegno Ollus leto datus est. Architettura, topografia e rituali funerari nelle necropoli dell’Italia meridionale e della Sicilia fra antichità e medioevo tenutosi a Reggio Calabria nel 22-25 ottobre 2013)).
Rituali della morte nella Magna Grecia indigena. Sepolture senza corpo
Scalici M.
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
2018
Abstract
In the pre-Roman necropolises of Southern Italy it is not uncommon to find tombs where the deceased body is completely or partially absent. Such an evidence is usually attributed to the soil’s chemical characteristics and composition. This paper aims to reconsider the issue and the related archaeological evidences, by investigating the phenomenon’s possible causes and by trying to recognize the existence of specific funerary rituals connected with the partial or complete removal of the deceased’s body. In reviewing and analyzing a few cases of empty, looted, intact, "visited" tombs, with and without residual bones and goods, we aim to focus on the variety and significance of the native people’s funerary practices in Southern Italy throughout centuries and cultural boundariesI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
