Archaeologists have discovered clues about the relationships between ancient humans and animals in northern Italy. A new study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE examines 161 burials from the 3rd to 1st centuries BC at the Seminario Vescovile archaeological site in Verona, Italy.
Sixteen of the burials contained animal remains. Many contained edible animals like pigs and cattle, likely representing food offerings for the deceased. However, four burials contained dog and/or horse remains, which were not usually eaten. To find patterns, researchers analyzed the demographics, diets, genetics and burial conditions of the humans and animals. Yet no notable correlations were found between these factors.
The individuals buried with animals did not seem to be closely related, suggesting this was not a family practice. The human-animal pairings also varied greatly, from an infant buried with a whole dog skeleton to an adult man buried with horse parts. With such diverse pairings lacking clear patterns, researchers say multiple interpretations are possible.
Animals like dogs and horses often had religious symbolism in ancient cultures. It’s also possible specific individuals were buried with their animal companions. The researchers note these human-animal burial practices may have been shaped by both individual traits and social customs.
The authors add: This study, which is part of the CELTUDALPS research project (co-financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Province of South Tyrol, and coordinated by Marco Milella of the University of Bern and Albert Zink of the Institute for Mummy Studies, Eurac Research), explores burials of horses and dogs with humans, and may hint at unknown rituals and beliefs during the late centuries BCE in Italy.
While mysteries remain, these burials offer clues about the deep and enduring bonds between ancient communities and the animals living among them.
Sources
PLOS (Public Library of Science) | Laffranchi Z, Zingale S, Tecchiati U, Amato A, Coia V, Paladin A, et al. (2024) “Until death do us part”. A multidisciplinary study on human- Animal co- burials from the Late Iron Age necropolis of Seminario Vescovile in Verona (Northern Italy, 3rd-1st c. BCE). PLoS ONE 19(2): e0293434. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293434
- Share on:
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Jeannette Rankin, the First Woman Elected to the U.S. Congress, Voted Against Entering Both World Wars
The National Statuary Hall is a semicircular room in the U.S. Capitol originally built to host sessions of the House of Representatives (the lower chamber of Congress) but repurposed in…
14 Kilograms of Roman Chainmail Found Near the Fortress of Bonn in Germany Were Used to Repair Damaged Armor
Near the site of the ancient Roman legionary fortress in Bonn, Germany, archaeologists uncovered a 14-kilogram cache of chainmail, dated to the 2nd–3rd centuries AD. The remnants of the armor…
The Oldest Bowstrings in Europe, 7,000 Years Old, Found in a Cave in Granada, Spain
A recent study led by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) has revealed the sophistication of Neolithic archery equipment on the Iberian Peninsula (5300–4900 BCE). The analysis of remains found…
Vestiges of the Oldest Human Rituals in Asia and a Totem-Rock Found in a Galilean Cave
In the depths of Galilee in modern-day Israel, an unprecedented archaeological discovery is shedding new light on the earliest inhabitants of the Asian continent. The Manot Cave, located near the…
Othonoi, the westernmost island of Greece, is the mythical Ogygia from The Odyssey
In the crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea, 47 nautical miles east of Italy’s Cape Santa Maria di Leuca, lies Othonoi (Οθωνοί in Greek), an island that blends history, mythology,…
Bismarck Towers: A Monumental Phenomenon Spanning Four Continents
The construction of 184 monuments in honor of Otto von Bismarck between 1869 and 1934 in Germany seems logical. After all, the “Iron Chancellor” was the architect of German unification,…
A Shipwreck from the 6th Century BC, Stone and Iron Anchors, Found Off the Southern Coast of Sicily
A highly significant archaeological discovery has come to light in the waters of Santa Maria del Focallo, in the municipality of Ispica, Ragusa province, Sicily. During an underwater excavation campaign,…
A heroon with intact tombs filled with luxurious jewels and lions sculpted in Pentelic marble, found in the ancient Greek city of Ripes in Achaea
At the beginning of October, the systematic archaeological excavation season concluded on the Trapezá plateau, located eight kilometers southwest of Aigio, Greece. This site is identified with the ancient city…
Statue Possibly Representing Cleopatra VII and Numerous Coins Featuring Her Effigy Found at the Temple of Taposiris Magna, West of Alexandria
The Egyptian-Dominican archaeological mission, led by Dr. Kathleen Martínez in collaboration with the National University Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU), has made new discoveries at the Temple of Taposiris Magna, located…
Roman Soldier Flaccus’ Tomb Discovered in the Netherlands, Dating to the Late 1st Century BCE
In late November 2024, during archaeological investigations conducted in Heerlen (Netherlands), an exceptional discovery was made: the tomb of a Roman soldier named Flaccus. This find, dating to the late…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
