Sit tibi terra gravis: Sepolture anomale tra eta medievale e moderna: Atti del Convegno Internazionale di Studi Albenga (SV) - Palazzo Oddo, 14-16 ottobre 2016

During the excavations of the church of San Calocero in Albenga (Savona - Italy) between 2014 and 2015, two young post-medieval women with peculiar and anomalous characteristics were discovered. The first inhumation was prone and placed in a deep grave isolated from the cemetery, while the second had partially burnt bone remains and was covered by an accumulation of large stones. This discovery received widespread international attention and led to the organization of a first in-depth scientific meeting. Sit tibi terra gravis - Anomalous burials between the medieval and modern ages, published in 2016, explores the phenomenon of anomalous burials on a European scale, with an interdisciplinary reading between archaeology, history, physical and cultural anthropology. The contributions are divided into four sessions and include case studies from the Italian territory and European contexts, as well as an analysis of the indicators found in the tombs.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 494 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2023
Publisher: Archaeopress

Between 2014 and 2015, remarkable discoveries were made during the excavations of the church of San Calocero in Albenga, Italy. During these excavations, two burials of young post-medieval women were unearthed, each with peculiar and anomalous characteristics. The first inhumation was positioned in a deep grave, isolated from the cemetery, while the second burial consisted of partially burnt bone remains covered by a substantial accumulation of large stones. The discovery of these burials garnered immediate international attention, leading to the organization of a groundbreaking scientific meeting during the excavation.

This international conference, titled "Sit tibi terra gravis - Anomalous burials between the medieval and modern ages," was held in 2016 and published the proceedings of the same name. The conference brought together scholars from various disciplines, including archaeology, history, physical and cultural anthropology, to explore the phenomenon of anomalous burials on a European scale. Thirty-three contributions by sixty-two scholars were organized into four sessions: "Deviant burials": case studies from the Italian territory; "Deviant burials" from European contexts; Anthropology and Archaeology compared; and The indicators in the tombs, which provided a comprehensive framework for studying this phenomenon.

The contributions to the conference shed light on the diverse practices and beliefs surrounding anomalous burials across different historical periods and geographical regions. The case studies presented by scholars from Italy explored the unique burial customs and rituals observed in the Italian territory, while the European contexts session examined similar practices in other parts of Europe. The Anthropology and Archaeology compared session examined the intersections between these disciplines and their approaches to studying anomalous burials. Finally, the The indicators in the tombs session focused on the physical and cultural markers found in anomalous burials, which allowed for a more detailed analysis of these burial practices.

Overall, the conference proceedings provide a valuable resource for scholars and researchers interested in the study of anomalous burials. The interdisciplinary approach adopted by the contributors enables a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon, which has significant implications for our understanding of medieval and modern societies.

Weight: 1652g
Dimension: 202 x 277 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803274751