Burial Research Articles

Being prepared for an avian influenza epidemic with a One Health approach: a cartographic study to identify animal carcasses burial sites in central Italy.

During epidemics, pandemics, or animal disease outbreaks, the large-scale disposal of carcasses presents greater environmental and biosecurity challenges. In Europe, disposal through a rendering plant is the preferred option, but the on-site carcasses burial may be authorised due to logistical and economic advantages. This study utilised a comprehensive GIS-based approach and focuses on the challenges and strategies for large-scale carcass disposal, particularly in the context of avian influenza outbreaks in the Lazio Region of Italy. Integrating data from official geospatial sources regarding presence of environmental restrictions and regulations, factors affecting susceptibility to groundwater contamination, factors affecting soil stability over time, potential burial sites were identified. The resulting map provides decision-makers with valuable information for prompt and efficient response during disease outbreaks. The study underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving veterinarians, epidemiologists, GIS experts, and geologists. Further research and international consensus are essential to standardize the selection of geographic variables/layers to use in similar projects. This study significantly contributes to the preparedness of environment, health and animal/human interface events.

Faience beads excavated from Laolongtou cemetery, Yanyuan: new evidence of the cultural exchange between the south‐western and north‐western parts of China

AbstractAncient Chinese beads provide important evidence of cultural exchanges. This study used a scanning electron microscope with an energy‐dispersive spectrometer to analyse the microstructure and chemical composition of faience beads excavated from Laolongtou cemetery in Yanyuan county, China. Based on the analysis results, two glazing methods (efflorescence and cementation) and two bead types (high‐Pb and high‐K beads) were identified. A comparison of the chemical compositions of samples unearthed at the Laolongtou cemetery and samples from north‐western China indicated close regional contact. Bronze wares and burial customs in Laolongtou cemetery also revealed that the Yanyuan region might be a significant node in the Southern Silk Road between the south‐western and north‐western parts of China and even in Southeast Asia.

How Long Does a Memory Last? Bayesian Chronological Modelling and the Temporal Scope of Commemorative Practices at Aeneolithic Monjukli Depe, Turkmenistan

In this paper the history of one house and a human burial in the prehistoric settlement of Monjukli Depe, Turkmenistan, serves as a case study for the use of Bayesian chronological modelling to approach the reach of past memories. The method combines relative and absolute chronological data and aims not only at a more precise and robust chronology of past events, but also allows estimations of duration of particular processes. However, chronological models must be constructed with care, since the prior archaeological information significantly affects the output. The comparison of three alternative models for the Aeneolithic settlement of Monjukli Depe shows that prior information in modelling has a considerable impact on duration estimates for periods of the settlement history. The modelling chronology for Monjukli Depe allows the tracing of commemorative practices at a generational scale—the memory of Monjukli Depe House 14 was transmitted over several generations of inhabitants long after the house destruction. It is clear that houses possessed a great value in the social life of the settlement since local building histories were remembered over a long time.

The Experiences of Grief in Bereaved Women Following the Death of Their Husbands During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Qom, Iran: A Phenomenological Study

Background and Objectives: The death of a loved one is one of the most difficult and stressful life events in the world. The effects of death caused by COVID-19 on the mental health of individuals and families are of great importance. This study aims to elucidate the experience of grief in bereaved women following the death of their husbands due to COVID-19 in Qom, Iran. Methods: In this phenomenological study, 12 bereaved women were selected using a purposive sampling method. The information was collected using semi-structured interviews until reaching data saturation. Results: The data analysis led to the extraction of 3 main themes and 10 sub-themes: Complicated grief (ambiguous loss, farewell with no embrace, grieving alone), unconventional grief (strange death, deviation from religious burial customs, virtual mourning), and grief outcome (spiritual experiences, moral panic, social stigma, distrust in healthcare providers). Conclusion: The grief of bereaved women due to the death of their husbands by COVID-19 differs from their mourning for the death caused by other diseases in two aspects. Firstly, according to the majority of women, the cause of death was unclear. This situation intensified their grieving and mourning. Secondly, due to the specific nature of COVID-19 and the necessity of quarantine, they were restricted from having funeral and religious mourning rituals according to the prevalent culture, which resulted in an incomplete mourning process. Gaining spiritual experiences is one positive aspect of grief in women. It is recommended to provide support and care by the healthcare system during pandemics for families, especially bereaved women, to reduce the negative effects of grief.

Lacquered Wooden Painted Double-headed Tomb Beast The Aesthetics of Chu Antiquities

Tomb stabilizing beasts, commonly used as burial objects in ancient Chu tombs in China, are an important component of Chu burial customs. Tomb keeping beasts are generally divided into three parts: body, base, and antlers. The overall appearance of the Tomb Beast is fierce and solemn, with a terrifying and terrifying face. The antlers of the deer on its head are intertwined, with complex and orderly patterns. The solid wood on its base has sparked the thinking of many scholars for the mysterious and beautiful portrayal of this woodcarving double headed Tomb Beast.

Heritagizing the Maestro

Bhupen Hazarika was a multifaceted personality known for his contributions as a singer, songwriter, composer, filmmaker, writer, and social activist from Assam, a state in the north-eastern part of India. To honour his life and works, a memorial site is constructed in the Jalukbari area of Assam. The site is called ‘Dr Bhupen Hazarika Samadhikshetra’. It is located in Guwahati city, near Gauhati University, in the state of Assam, India. The literal meaning of the Assamese words Samadhikshetra is a burial site. Through empirical research, the paper investigates the conceptual framework of heritagization as applied to Dr Hazarika’s legacy, focusing on preserving, maintaining, and celebrating his contributions to society. The study emphasises the role of the memorial site, as a tangible example of Dr Hazarika’s cultural relevance by delving further into its architectural design, symbolic elements, and commemorative features. Beyond these tangible aspects, the study also addresses the intangible values, identity and collective memories that the site evokes and preserves. The paper also explores the close interaction between the cultural and constructed heritage of the site, emphasising the need for a holistic strategy to protect and preserve the cultural past. Despite controversies and challenges over selecting the last resting place of Dr Hazarika, the Samadhikshetra stands as a tribute to his lasting influence and gratitude for his artistic legacy. Through commemorative events and ongoing public engagement, the memorial site continues to serve as a sacred space where Dr Hazarika’s spirit can live on and inspire future generations.

Jejak Okupasi Manusia Prasejarah di Situs Gua Batu Baras, Kalimantan Selatan

Batu Baras Cave, located in Bangkalan Dayak village, is an archaeological site in the limestone hill area of ​​Kotabaru Regency, South Kalimantan. Kalimantan prehistoric times have not been established as well as in Java. Recent publications reveal human occupation in the Preneolithic-Paleometallic period in the Kotabaru karst, including in Batu Cave, Cililin Cave 1, Jauharlin Cave 1, and Batu Baras Cave. This article describes the variability of archaeological findings to reveal that human occupation occurred in Batu Baras Cave. Morphological and stylistic analysis aims to illustrate the variety of archaeological data found. We used several approaches to compile the interpretation, including zooarchaeology, paleoanthropology, and spatial. Our result reveals that human occupation in Batu Baras Cave occurred in the early Prenolithic-Neolithic period in 12,402-4,230 calBP. Batu Baras Cave became a dwelling and burial site for the Australomelanesid population in the Preneolithic. The Austronesians inhabited Batu Baras Cave in the Neolithic.

Features of the microbiome of burial soils

Introduction. On the territory of the Russian Federation, as well as worldwide, a large amount of space is allocated for burials. The soils found in the burial areas have their own characteristics. In the scientific literature there is a few works devoted to the problem of hygienic assessment of cemeteries from the point of view of their impact on the environment, as well as on the population living next to necrosols or working on them. Depending on the chemical and biological effects, the microbial composition of the soil changes. This process is influenced by many factors, including humidity, the initial content of organic and mineral substances, level of acidity, structure of the soil and peculiarities of the course of intra-soil gas-phase reactions. The key participants in the decomposition of organic material are bacteria and fungi, the diversity and dynamics of which directly depend on the degree of soil contamination with pollutants. The purpose of this study was to analyze the microbiota of cemetery soil in its various layers. Materials and methods. The cemeteries of Moscow (NikoloKhovanskoye, Nikolo-Arkhangelskoye, Perepechenskoye), Moscow (Mytishchenskoye, Domodedovo), Tula (Municipal Cemetery No. 1 of the Municipal State Enterprise of the Municipal Formation of the City of Tula Combine of Specialized Services), Kursk (old city cemetery Kurchatov), Krasnoyarsk (Zheleznogorsk) regions and Altai (Yarovoye) Krais were selected as research objects for assessing the microbiome of soils. Results. The most common bacterial pathogens were found to be Enterococcus spp. (81%), Bacillus spp. (75%) and E. coli (45.1%). Mushrooms of Penicillium spp.. were isolated from 61% of the samples. The revealed microbiota profiles of the samples of the studied cemetery soils reflect the microbial composition of humans, which allows substantiating the main methods and algorithm for identifying decomposition processes depending on the time frame of burials. Limitations. The limitation of the study is due to the risk of contact with cemetery soil was not assessed, since not all genera of isolated microorganisms could be identified by their biochemical properties. Conclusion. Studies conducted in cemetery areas have shown how diverse the soil microbiome is in burial sites and varies depending on the depth of sampling. The microbiota profiles of cemetery soil samples identified during the study reflect the lifetime microbial composition of the human body, which makes it possible to substantiate approaches to identifying decomposition processes depending on the time frame of burials.

The most ancient roachfly (Insecta: Plecoptera, Peltoperlidae) from the Lower Cretaceous of the West Transbaikalia, Russia

The oldest paleontological find of the family Peltoperlidae, which is also the first report of a fossil peltoperlid nymph, is described herein. The new genus and species Siberiopelta bashkuevi gen. et sp. nov. is established for the nymphs from the Lower Cretaceous, Neocomian, deposits of Khasurty locality in Western Transbaikalia, Russia. The small number of the stonefly nymphal remains of Siberiopelta and their fragmental preservation suggest that they were brought to the burial site postmortem by streams. All known peltoperlids live in rivers and streams draining wooded areas and this is the most probable habitat before their remains entered the lake basin.

På höjderna och i stadens utkant. Gravfält och gravgårdar i det äldsta Sigtuna

This article discusses late Viking Age mortuary practices in the town of Sigtuna during the early urban phase (c. 980–1100 AD) with focus on the so-called graveyards (Sw. gravgårdar): cemeteries where the dead were inhumed mainly in accordance with Christian customs, but that lacked churches. It aims to trace cultural, social, or religious communities among the early town dwellers based on an analysis of their burial rituals, in combination with results of osteological and bioarcheological studies of their physical remains. The paper shows that burial customs varied within the early townscape: the dead were laid to rest under visible grave constructions in exposed topographical locations, as well as on flat-ground cemeteries in lower terrain close to the settlement area or at early churchyards. Moreover, diversity in mortuary customs, sex and age distribution, gender division, and diet can be detected between individual cemeteries, indicating that they were used by different urban groups that to some extent parted from their dead in different ways. The results of bioarcheological analyses indicate a heterogenous early urban population, comprising people from the Mälaren area, and also from distant regions. The burial customs reflect this specific urban situation, bearing witness to both long-distance contacts and roots in local mortuary traditions.

Preliminary Results of the Study of Kuraily-Asar Necropolis

The article deals with the introduction into scientific discourse new data on the burial structures of the Dzhetyasar culture of Eastern Aral Sea region. In 2023, archaeological work was carried out on the necropolis of one of the Dzhetyasar monuments – the Kuraily-asar fortified settlement. The research was carried out by the “Aral Sea detachment” of the Margulan Institute of Archeology an under the leadership of A. Ongarruly and A.A. Tazhekeyev. The four underground burial sites were uncovered, as a result of the excavations. All the mounds have an identical design and burial rite. The mounds are surrounded by a moat with an entrance on the north and south sides, in the center of which there is a burial pit. Burials: three of them were women, and one was a child, were located on the dorsal surface and the head was oriented to the north. The anthropological characteristics of the burials show that the ontological constitution of post cranium is generally characterized by a morphological variant of the addition allocated to the Dzhetyasar population. The burial inventory included ceramic vessels and spindle whorl, buckles, a mirror and an amulet, the analysis of which allowed these mounds to be attributed to the Dzhetyasar II stage and dated to the II-IV centuries AD.

3775-year-old wood burial supports "wood vaulting" as a durable carbon removal method.

Six-times more carbon dioxide (CO2) is removed each year by terrestrial photosynthesis than fossil fuel emissions. However, the carbon is mostly returned to the atmosphere by decomposition. We found a 3775-year-old ancient wood log buried 2 meters belowground that was preserved far beyond its expected lifetime. The wood had near-perfect preservation, with carbon loss less than 5% compared to a modern sample. The lack of decay is likely due to the low permeability of the compact clay soil at the burial site. Our observation suggests a hybrid nature-engineering approach for carbon removal by burying woody biomass in similar anoxic environments. We estimate a global sequestration potential of up to 10 gigatonnes CO2 per year with existing technology at a low cost of $30 to $100 per tonne after optimization.

Soil Sample Analysis of Bacillus anthracis Contaminated Animal Burial Sites.

Environmental contamination with Bacillus anthracis spores poses clear threats to livestock that play key roles in the economies of pastoral communities. Regular monitoring of contaminated sites is particularly important in anthrax-endemic parts of the world, such as Kars province in eastern Türkiye, where the Veterinary Microbiology Department of Kafkas University has conducted an anthrax surveillance programme for over 30 years. We reviewed the microbiological results of 232 soil samples collected during 2009-2023, from sites known to be contaminated with B. anthracis spores following burial or butchering of infected animal carcasses. Twenty-five contaminated sites in 16 villages were studied. Samples were taken from a total of 61 different positions within these sites and viable spores were detected in 136 (58.6%) of the samples examined. Of the 96 samples from which spores were not recovered, subsequent samples from the same positions proved positive on 21 occasions. Using a standardised sampling plan, it was discovered that samples taken 1-2 m on a downward slope from the centre-point of contamination had higher (p < 0.001) spore concentrations than those taken from other positions. Although spore concentrations at some sampling positions varied over time, the overall values remained stable. This finding contrasts with observations in other parts of the world where spore concentrations tend to decline with time and may reflect regional differences in soil composition that permit more prolonged spore persistence. Concentrations of >100 spores/g soil were found in 10 (66.7%) of the 15 samples taken 10-13 years following a contamination event. These results demonstrate the longevity of viable anthrax spores in the soil of agricultural environments following decomposition of infected animal carcasses, and therefore the need for prolonged bacteriological monitoring of contaminated sites. Furthermore, they underline the importance of appropriate decontamination, as burial on its own does not eliminate all spores.

Burial Histories, Bodies, and Pots: Mortuary Practices in the Southeastern Rainforests of the Andes during the 1st Millennium a.d. (El Cadillal, Argentina)

ABSTRACT Through the control of social memory and the dead, household members in Argentinian Andean early Formative villages often used primary and secondary mortuary practices to negotiate power and identity among the living. In this paper, we explore the material evidence obtained in the large-scale salvage excavations of El Cadillal, Argentina, where 51 burials were recovered from three burial sites. Between a.d. 0 and 900, people living in the southeastern rainforests placed deceased household members in ceramic urns and, less frequently, inside of rock enclosures and pits surrounded by a range of grave offerings. Drawing upon this case study, we attempt to disentangle the complex web of relationships between the dead, the living, and the El Cadillal community in order to assess how social memories were crafted through primary and secondary mortuary events and how the repetition of mortuary rituals created a social landscape and memories of the dead.

Explaining strategic disinterment: Forensics and the reconstruction of the missing in Cyprus

The paper investigates the phenomenon of ‘strategic disinterment’ in Cyprus, namely the purposeful and selective destruction of primary graves and removal of remains of missing persons to unknown secondary burial sites. Our examination of why violent actors invest valuable resources to exhume victims from the original burial location, even when they no longer pose a security threat, has significant theoretical and methodological implications. First, it pushes the boundaries of our understanding of violence by challenging the assumption that violent actors target only the living. Second, it innovates methodologically by introducing the use of forensic data to explain the strategic logic of selective removal of remains of victims from original grave sites in Cyprus. By exploring the interplay between temporal, spatial, demographic, and political considerations and analysing variables that may explain strategic disinterment, we make informed inferences about the possible drivers of grave selection. We argue the decision of armed groups to engage in strategic disinterment in Cyprus was shaped by a set of two factors. On the one hand, they were ‘pushed’ by the degree of perceived accountability associated with specific graves that concealed incriminatory evidence of heinous crimes. On the other hand, their capacity to organize sophisticated operations, such as mass-scale reburials, was crucial. Only actors with the capacity and attentive to (international) accountability norms were likely to engage in strategic disinterment.

THE BONES OF TIBULLUS: OVID, AMORES 3.9.59

Abstract This article argues for an emendation to Ovid, Amores 3.9, Ovid's lament for Tibullus. The transmitted text of line 59 would seem to present a contradiction: Ovid speculates about aliquid nisi nomen et umbra surviving death, and then proceeds in the next few lines to identify that aliquid as, precisely, Tibullus’ umbra. Ovid's original text was most likely aliquid nisi nomen et ossa, referring to a burial site and funerary inscription; with this text, Ovid reproduces details from Tibullus 1.3, a poem which he reworks throughout his elegy.

The Object Protected by the Criminalization of Insult to a Human Corpse in Polish Law

The insult of a human corpse is one of the oldest crimes. The guarantee of the inviolability of a human body after death, as well as the cult of the deceased are considered a precursors of religious faith. In the early periods of social development, the protection of corpses and burial sites stemmed from the prevailing religious beliefs among community members. Hence, in legal orders, it was religion, religious feelings, worship of the deceased, and others that were the main objects protected by the criminalization of insulting a corpse. To date, such a position remains popular and widely accepted. However, with the progress of civilization, more attention is beginning to be paid to the fact that the legal protection of human corpses is independent of religion. The purpose of the article is to point out the multiplicity of definitions of the object protected by the criminalization of insulting a corpse and thereby make the reader aware that both the law and the values cultivated in society are dynamic institutions. This will make lawyers aware that their activity should not only focus on passive acceptance and repetition of the established truths and values, but also prompt them to figure out new ones or to search for new justifications that are more suitable in the current reality.

Strontium Isotope Analysis at an 18th Century Burial Ground in Semonice (Czech Republic) – the Use of Modern Skeletal Remains and its Narrative and Interpretative Value

Strontium Isotope Analysis at an 18th Century Burial Ground in Semonice (Czech Republic) – the Use of Modern Skeletal Remains and its Narrative and Interpretative Value

Evaluation of the Epidemic Situation of Anthrax in Armenia Over the Last Decade.

Anthrax is a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)-listed disease that must be reported upon confirmation based on the Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Anthrax poses a serious health issue for unvaccinated livestock, is a threat to humans through interaction with contaminated livestock and animal products and is endemic in many areas throughout the world, including the Transcaucasian Region. Despite several control and eradication efforts that have been implemented by the government of the Republic of Armenia (RA), sporadic cases of anthrax are still reported. We sought to understand the epidemic situation of anthrax in RA during the last 10 years (2012-2023) based on analysis of outbreaks and reported cases in cattle and humans. We collected and evaluated officially reported data from human and animal cases, such as time, location, animal species, disease intensity and spread radius. The data and various parameters were mapped using ArcGIS to prepare a viable risk assessment. Based on the officially available data and reports, there have been 80 human cases and 55 animal cases of anthrax confirmed in RA from 2012 to 2023. We also identified the presence of anthrax spores in soil and environmental samples near animal burial sites in RA in 2015-2017 through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Upon comparing the human and animal cases by frequency and intensity, the human cases are directly proportional to the animal husbandry practices performed in RA. The detection of the anthrax pathogen at the burial sites highlights the continued threat in these areas. Thus, it is imperative to secure and monitor any areas that have been used for anthrax burial and limit the movement of animals in these areas. In the future, legislation should be updated to prioritise incineration of anthrax-infected carcasses instead of burial to limit further exposure to animals and humans.

동심원 암각화의 제작 시기 및 상징성 고찰 - 영남 내륙 지역을 중심으로

The objective of this study is to determine the age of concentric circle petroglyphs and to elucidate the character of the sites and the symbolism of the motifs within their historical context. The determination of the age is a central yet challenging aspect of petroglyph research, given their exposure to external elements. This is true even for those found in burial sites, where various factors can influence the dating. However, the discovery of cup marks and concentric circle motifs on the cover stone of Songguk-ri No.1 stone cist tomb in Buyeo, which was investigated without exposure, provided a basis for examining the age by extracting common elements across regions. Consequently, it was determined that the concentric circle petroglyphs were engraved during the middle to late Bronze Age. The ages were delineated to estimate the diffusion routes. The middle to late Bronze Age, characterized by advanced agricultural practices, witnessed significant social changes and the emergence of social stratification. In this context, burial sites with engraved petroglyphs are understood to be spaces that went beyond simple funerary rites to include ancestor veneration and other ritualistic purposes. Additionally, the presence of petroglyphs on vertical rock faces near watersides suggests these sites were multifunctional ceremonial spaces, likely used for rituals promoting prosperity and other communal activities. Thus, sites with concentric circle petroglyphs are understood to be ceremonial spaces, and the motifs themselves are interpreted within this context. While the symbolism of these motifs is widely debated, with suggestions including the sun or water, their locations and the historical context suggest a stronger association with water rather than the sun.