Evaluation of a Subsequent Deposition of Human Bodies in a Funerary Site in Sardinia (Italy) Using Entomological Evidence
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 archaeoent...
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2025-02-01
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| author | Fabiola Tuccia Consuelo Rodriguez Giorgia Giordani Maria Eulàlia Subirà Vittorio Mazzarello Stefano Vanin |
| author_facet | Fabiola Tuccia Consuelo Rodriguez Giorgia Giordani Maria Eulàlia Subirà Vittorio Mazzarello Stefano Vanin |
| author_sort | Fabiola Tuccia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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 <i>Domus de Janas</i> 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 <i>Calliphora</i> and <i>Lucilia</i>, as well as beetles (Coleoptera) in the genus <i>Necrobia</i>. 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-593aaa56f96845eebdeac36b430f6a5a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2571-9408 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-593aaa56f96845eebdeac36b430f6a5a2025-08-20T03:12:02ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082025-02-01826810.3390/heritage8020068Evaluation of a Subsequent Deposition of Human Bodies in a Funerary Site in Sardinia (Italy) Using Entomological EvidenceFabiola Tuccia0Consuelo Rodriguez1Giorgia Giordani2Maria Eulàlia Subirà3Vittorio Mazzarello4Stefano Vanin5School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UKUnitat d’Antropologia Biològica, Dpt BABVE, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, SpainIndependent Researcher, 40100 Bologna, ItalyUnitat d’Antropologia Biològica, Dpt BABVE, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, SpainDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell’Ambiente e della Vita (DISTAV), Università di Genova, 16132 Genova, ItalyEnvironmental 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 <i>Domus de Janas</i> 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 <i>Calliphora</i> and <i>Lucilia</i>, as well as beetles (Coleoptera) in the genus <i>Necrobia</i>. 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/2/68funerary archaeoentomologyprehistoric gravefunerary practicesCalliphoridaeDomus de Jana |
| spellingShingle | Fabiola Tuccia Consuelo Rodriguez Giorgia Giordani Maria Eulàlia Subirà Vittorio Mazzarello Stefano Vanin Evaluation of a Subsequent Deposition of Human Bodies in a Funerary Site in Sardinia (Italy) Using Entomological Evidence Heritage funerary archaeoentomology prehistoric grave funerary practices Calliphoridae Domus de Jana |
| title | Evaluation of a Subsequent Deposition of Human Bodies in a Funerary Site in Sardinia (Italy) Using Entomological Evidence |
| title_full | Evaluation of a Subsequent Deposition of Human Bodies in a Funerary Site in Sardinia (Italy) Using Entomological Evidence |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of a Subsequent Deposition of Human Bodies in a Funerary Site in Sardinia (Italy) Using Entomological Evidence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of a Subsequent Deposition of Human Bodies in a Funerary Site in Sardinia (Italy) Using Entomological Evidence |
| title_short | Evaluation of a Subsequent Deposition of Human Bodies in a Funerary Site in Sardinia (Italy) Using Entomological Evidence |
| title_sort | evaluation of a subsequent deposition of human bodies in a funerary site in sardinia italy using entomological evidence |
| topic | funerary archaeoentomology prehistoric grave funerary practices Calliphoridae Domus de Jana |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/2/68 |
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