The cremation structures of the Roman Empire: anthracological data versus historical sources

Abstract

ISSN: : 0210-3729International audienceDuring the excavation of the Roman necropolis site Richeaume (Bouches-du-Rhone, Provence, France), cremation primary structures have been identified. A specific protocol consisting in collecting the entire sediment for sampling charred funeral remains on a grid of 20 to 40 cm, was systematically experimented and put into practice. The first anthracological results offer a reading of both qualitative and quantitative spatial residues of the cremation (including the discovery of the ignition lock, and technical aspects revealing a specific choice adapted to the practice of cremation). This reading led to interpret anthracological results in a technical and social prospect. These results led also to a systematic re-reading of written Roman sources, collecting exhaustive historical documents and comparing them to previous and new data. The terms used by ancient writers to describe the structures studied by anthracologists, far from being general, relate to facts and precise gesture