Evaluation of a Subsequent Deposition of Human Bodies in a Funerary Site in Sardinia (Italy) Using Entomological Evidence
Tuccia, Fabiola (University of Huddersfield)
Rodriguez, Consuelo (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d'Ecologia)
Giordani, Giorgia
Subirà, M. Eulàlia (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d'Ecologia)
Mazzarello, Vittorio (Università degli Studi di Sassari. Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche)
Vanin, Stefano (Università di Genova. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell'Ambiente e della Vita)

Data:	2025
Resum:	Environmental elements, such as insects, plants, algae and microbes, may provide important information when reconstructing and interpreting past events. In archaeological contexts, the study of the insects associated with dead bodies can contribute to describe funerary practices. Funerary archaeoentomology is increasingly being utilized; however, there is a lack of application in ancient contexts, thousands of years old. During archaeological excavations carried out at the Filigosa archaeological site (Sardinia, Italy), a prehistoric grave cut named Domus de Janas was found. This type of grave is typical of the island and dates to the Recent Neolithic period. The sepulchral chamber containing 77 individuals (49 adults and 28 subadults) was investigated revealing the presence of some entomological fragments. The mineralized specimens found belonged to the immature stages of flies (Diptera) in the genera Calliphora and Lucilia, as well as beetles (Coleoptera) in the genus Necrobia. These species are typically associated with body decomposition. The analysis and interpretation of these findings led to the following conclusions based on archaeological hypotheses: (1) the cadavers were exposed for a period of time, allowing the arrival of the blow flies during the initial wave of colonization; (2) subsequent primary depositions occurred within the chamber, and (3) a geological change likely occurred shortly after the cessation of the tomb utilization leading to the presence of mud and water.
Drets:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Llengua:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Matèria:	Funerary archaeoentomology ; Prehistoric grave ; Funerary practices ; Calliphoridae ; Domus de Jana
Publicat a:	Heritage, Vol. 8, Issue 2 (February 2025) , art. 68, ISSN 2571-9408

DOI: 10.3390/heritage8020068

15 p, 3.2 MB

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