An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Late Islamic Cemeteries Within the Cathedral (15th–18th Century CE) and the Ruins of Adulis (Mid-19th–Early 20th Century CE), Massawa, Eritrea: Funerary Architecture, Funerary Rituals, Burial Rites, and Bioarcheological Data Identifying Late Islamic Graves in Central Eastern Eritrea
Systematic studies on Late Islamic cemeteries that integrate architectural, ritual, and biological aspects remain relatively rare, particularly in Islamic countries or regions with an active Muslim presence. Typically, available research focuses more on epigraphic and artistic features. Since 2018,...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Omar Larentis Nelly Cattaneo Paolo Lampugnani Susanna Bortolotto Emanuele Zappa Andrea Gregorini Yotam Gezae Tsegai Medin Ilaria Gorini Serena Massa |
| author_facet | Omar Larentis Nelly Cattaneo Paolo Lampugnani Susanna Bortolotto Emanuele Zappa Andrea Gregorini Yotam Gezae Tsegai Medin Ilaria Gorini Serena Massa |
| author_sort | Omar Larentis |
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| description | Systematic studies on Late Islamic cemeteries that integrate architectural, ritual, and biological aspects remain relatively rare, particularly in Islamic countries or regions with an active Muslim presence. Typically, available research focuses more on epigraphic and artistic features. Since 2018, excavations at the Cathedral and surveys in the ruins of the city of Adulis (Massawa, Eritrea) have uncovered 326 Muslim graves: six dating to the 15th and 18th centuries CE and 320 attributed to the mid-19th to the early 20th century CE. These discoveries have enabled, for the first time in Eritrea, a detailed scientific study of the biological characteristics of the human remains, the funerary architecture, and the burial rites of Muslim communities from the 15th to the early 20th century. The skeletal remains were analyzed through taphonomic and anthropological studies. The graves were categorized into various typologies based on their structural features, while evidence of funerary rituals was documented as indicative elements of the burial practices adopted. These findings were further enriched by ethnographic sources and collaborative work with local communities, who acted as custodians of the historical memory and traditions of the region. The results provide insights into a historical period of Eritrea that is otherwise poorly documented. More broadly, they contribute to the understanding of the history of the Horn of Africa, a region with limited data from funerary and archaeological contexts. The Muslim cemeteries of Adulis represent the most extensively investigated Muslim burial site in recent years, providing critical insights into the historical Muslim presence in the region. These findings also allow researchers to hypothesize the succession of various communities that chose Adulis as a central location for interring their deceased, reflecting its enduring significance as a focal point for cultural and ritual practices across different periods. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5b9596ff31d64f4d9a76c17a49a02c35 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2571-9408 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage |
| spelling | doaj-art-5b9596ff31d64f4d9a76c17a49a02c352025-01-24T13:34:16ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082024-12-0181110.3390/heritage8010001An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Late Islamic Cemeteries Within the Cathedral (15th–18th Century CE) and the Ruins of Adulis (Mid-19th–Early 20th Century CE), Massawa, Eritrea: Funerary Architecture, Funerary Rituals, Burial Rites, and Bioarcheological Data Identifying Late Islamic Graves in Central Eastern EritreaOmar Larentis0Nelly Cattaneo1Paolo Lampugnani2Susanna Bortolotto3Emanuele Zappa4Andrea Gregorini5Yotam Gezae6Tsegai Medin7Ilaria Gorini8Serena Massa9Laboratorio Bagolini Archeologia, Archeometria, Fotografia—Bagolini Archaeology, Archaeometry, Photography Laboratory, Department of Letters and Philosophy, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico of Milan, 20133 Milan, ItalyCentro Ricerche sul Deserto Orientale—Centre of Research for the Eastern Desert, 21100 Varese, ItalyDepartment of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico of Milano, 20133 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico of Milan, 20133 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico of Milan, 20133 Milan, ItalyNorthern Red Sea Regional Museum, Massawa P.O. Box 73 , EritreaEritrean Commission of Culture and Sports—Archaeological Heritage Research Branch—AHRB, Asmara P.O. Box 242, EritreaCentre of Research in Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, Department of Biotechnologies and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, ItalyCentro Ricerche sul Deserto Orientale—Centre of Research for the Eastern Desert, 21100 Varese, ItalySystematic studies on Late Islamic cemeteries that integrate architectural, ritual, and biological aspects remain relatively rare, particularly in Islamic countries or regions with an active Muslim presence. Typically, available research focuses more on epigraphic and artistic features. Since 2018, excavations at the Cathedral and surveys in the ruins of the city of Adulis (Massawa, Eritrea) have uncovered 326 Muslim graves: six dating to the 15th and 18th centuries CE and 320 attributed to the mid-19th to the early 20th century CE. These discoveries have enabled, for the first time in Eritrea, a detailed scientific study of the biological characteristics of the human remains, the funerary architecture, and the burial rites of Muslim communities from the 15th to the early 20th century. The skeletal remains were analyzed through taphonomic and anthropological studies. The graves were categorized into various typologies based on their structural features, while evidence of funerary rituals was documented as indicative elements of the burial practices adopted. These findings were further enriched by ethnographic sources and collaborative work with local communities, who acted as custodians of the historical memory and traditions of the region. The results provide insights into a historical period of Eritrea that is otherwise poorly documented. More broadly, they contribute to the understanding of the history of the Horn of Africa, a region with limited data from funerary and archaeological contexts. The Muslim cemeteries of Adulis represent the most extensively investigated Muslim burial site in recent years, providing critical insights into the historical Muslim presence in the region. These findings also allow researchers to hypothesize the succession of various communities that chose Adulis as a central location for interring their deceased, reflecting its enduring significance as a focal point for cultural and ritual practices across different periods.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/1/1eastern desertSub-Saharan areaHorn of Africatombsgravesmodern era |
| spellingShingle | Omar Larentis Nelly Cattaneo Paolo Lampugnani Susanna Bortolotto Emanuele Zappa Andrea Gregorini Yotam Gezae Tsegai Medin Ilaria Gorini Serena Massa An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Late Islamic Cemeteries Within the Cathedral (15th–18th Century CE) and the Ruins of Adulis (Mid-19th–Early 20th Century CE), Massawa, Eritrea: Funerary Architecture, Funerary Rituals, Burial Rites, and Bioarcheological Data Identifying Late Islamic Graves in Central Eastern Eritrea Heritage eastern desert Sub-Saharan area Horn of Africa tombs graves modern era |
| title | An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Late Islamic Cemeteries Within the Cathedral (15th–18th Century CE) and the Ruins of Adulis (Mid-19th–Early 20th Century CE), Massawa, Eritrea: Funerary Architecture, Funerary Rituals, Burial Rites, and Bioarcheological Data Identifying Late Islamic Graves in Central Eastern Eritrea |
| title_full | An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Late Islamic Cemeteries Within the Cathedral (15th–18th Century CE) and the Ruins of Adulis (Mid-19th–Early 20th Century CE), Massawa, Eritrea: Funerary Architecture, Funerary Rituals, Burial Rites, and Bioarcheological Data Identifying Late Islamic Graves in Central Eastern Eritrea |
| title_fullStr | An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Late Islamic Cemeteries Within the Cathedral (15th–18th Century CE) and the Ruins of Adulis (Mid-19th–Early 20th Century CE), Massawa, Eritrea: Funerary Architecture, Funerary Rituals, Burial Rites, and Bioarcheological Data Identifying Late Islamic Graves in Central Eastern Eritrea |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Late Islamic Cemeteries Within the Cathedral (15th–18th Century CE) and the Ruins of Adulis (Mid-19th–Early 20th Century CE), Massawa, Eritrea: Funerary Architecture, Funerary Rituals, Burial Rites, and Bioarcheological Data Identifying Late Islamic Graves in Central Eastern Eritrea |
| title_short | An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Late Islamic Cemeteries Within the Cathedral (15th–18th Century CE) and the Ruins of Adulis (Mid-19th–Early 20th Century CE), Massawa, Eritrea: Funerary Architecture, Funerary Rituals, Burial Rites, and Bioarcheological Data Identifying Late Islamic Graves in Central Eastern Eritrea |
| title_sort | interdisciplinary analysis of the late islamic cemeteries within the cathedral 15th 18th century ce and the ruins of adulis mid 19th early 20th century ce massawa eritrea funerary architecture funerary rituals burial rites and bioarcheological data identifying late islamic graves in central eastern eritrea |
| topic | eastern desert Sub-Saharan area Horn of Africa tombs graves modern era |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/1/1 |
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