#funerary-practices

#funerary-practices

One of the difficult truths of life in the Middle Ages is that death was never far away. While the vast majority of medieval people owned far fewer possessions than we do today, they were just as concerned with making sure everything was taken care of according to their wishes before they passed. This week, Danièle speaks with Robert A. Wood about medieval wills, funerals, and some memorable bequests.

An Etruscan cinerary urn carved with a high-relief face of Medusa has been revealed to contain no ashes or bones as expected, but rather three terracotta vessels. The vessels, two handled jugs and one cup, are simple and undecorated. The urn is part of the collection of the Palazzone Necropolis, and while it was discovered in the 19th century, it is only now being thoroughly studied.

Twelve sacrificial pits were discovered containing offerings including the remains of burned houses, ceramics, dog bones, and human skulls, near Gerstewitz, eastern Germany.

A complete handprint has been discovered on the base of a clay funerary model house at the Fitzwilliam Museum, made between 3,400 and 4,000 years ago.