An execution in medieval Sicily: Computerised tomography scan analysis and 3D reconstruction of an ancient forensic context

Abstract

The bioarchaeological and forensic approach is increasingly applied in the study of funerary contexts in archaeology. Here, we present a case of an atypical medieval burial recently discovered in Piazza Armerina (Sicily), in which the integrated use of traditional bioarchaeological and forensic anthropology methods was crucial. The skeleton was lying in a prone position and was characterised by a peculiar injury pattern. We recorded six clear stab wound marks on the posterior surface of the sternum. The use of computerised tomography scan and 3D modelling techniques has made it possible to obtain a reliable reconstruction of the cause and modality of death, pointing to the execution of the individual. The importance of this case study is twofold. First, the injury pattern recorded currently constitutes a unicum in the bioarchaeological record. Second, it represents the first well‐documented case of an atypical burial in Sicily.

Between belief and fear - Reinterpreting prone burials during the Middle Ages and early modern period in German-speaking Europe

“…Except for upper class execution victims who were granted a burial in the churchyard, the practice, however, was often different since death was regarded as an insufficient punishment [ 116 ]. Accordingly, the corpses were buried below or around the gallows in irregular positions without care [ 60 – 62 ]. Interventions comprised non-traditional positioning, burdening, fixation of the extremities, or violating the bodies' physical integrity [ 117 ].…”

“…Interventions comprised non-traditional positioning, burdening, fixation of the extremities, or violating the bodies' physical integrity [ 117 ]. Apart from supine graves, prone or side positions as well as partial inhumations among animal carcasses occur at execution sites [ 60 – 62 ]. In this regard, our prone burials from non-funerary contexts exhibit strong similarities to the execution burials, even though they do not show evident traces of violence on the skeleton.…”

“…They would potentially bias the variability of our sample and were not considered. The same applies to execution sites where prone burials are regularly observed [ 60 – 62 ]. However, the relative abundance of prone positions in the aforementioned burial contexts must be kept in mind when it comes to interpretation.…”