Between belief and fear - Reinterpreting prone burials during the Middle Ages and early modern period in German-speaking Europe
Amelie Alterauge|Thomas Meier|Bettina Jungklaus|Marco Milella|Sandra Lösch
Prone burials are among the most distinctive deviant during Middle Ages and early modern period. Despite their worldwide distribution, meaning of this burial practice is still a matter debate. So far, comprehensive analysis prone lacking for Central Europe. By compiling evidence from Germany, Switzerland Austria, study investigates how these findings fit into scope medieval funerary practices. 95 60 archaeological sites were analyzed regarding geographical dating, features, body position, age-at-death sex. We applied descriptive statistics accompanied by multiple correspondence in order to highlight possible multivariate patterns dataset. occur non-funerary contexts, with predominance single churchyard burials, followed favored exterior location settlements. In terms grave majority do not differ regular graves. Multivariate appear reflect diachronic changes normative found significant correlation between due higher frequency high males locations. cases, position interpreted as sign humility, while similar evidences late post-medieval times seen an expression deviancy. Apparent lack care reveals disrespect social exclusion, inhumations outside consecrated ground being ultimate punishment. some regions, apotropaic practices suggest that corpses should be prevented returning, attested contemporaneous sources folk beliefs. hypothesize increase towards period linked such triggered epidemic diseases. The multiplicity meanings might have different contexts demands careful interpretations within same regional chronological frame.
PLOS ONE|Bern Open Repository and Information System (University of Bern)|PubMed Central|PubMed