Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 06-26-2006, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Experts are thrilled by the find - which dates from about the first century - as it is the first "mass burial" of its kind identified. Mystery surrounds why so many bodies were neatly piled together in the complex network of underground burial chambers, which stretch for miles under the city.

It was the custom then for Rome's upper classes to be burnt not buried, so it is thought the skeletons may be early Christians. Tests are being carried to establish whether they suffered violent death or were victims of an unknown epidemic or natural disaster.

Raffaella Giuliani, chief inspector of the Vatican's Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology, who is overseeing the dig, said: "What we have discovered is very exciting. Usually, two or three bodies were put into holes dug out of the rock in the catacombs. But we have several rooms filled with skeletons.

"The skeletons were dressed in fine robes, many of which had gold thread in them, and they were wrapped in sheets and covered with lime.

"This was quite common with early Christian burials, as it was a form of hygiene, and the corpses were also anointed with balsamic spices. Again, this all shows a great amount of dignity and respect given to the dead."

The news story in the Scotsman allows comments, and there is a raging discussion of whether there were Christians in Rome in the first century.

The idea of Christians dressing corpses in fine robes seems at odds with the usual impression of Roman Christians as mostly lower class, persecuted slaves.

Another story does not speculate about whether the bodies were Christian.

Quote:

The archaeologists are unable to explain why so many apparently upper-class Romans - who would normally have been cremated - were buried in the same spot, apparently at the same time.

Earlier story

darstec · 06-26-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

1000 Skeletons Found in Roman Catacombs

The news story in the Scotsman allows comments, and there is a raging discussion of whether there were Christians in Rome in the first century.

The idea of Christians dressing corpses in fine robes seems at odds with the usual impression of Roman Christians as mostly lower class, persecuted slaves.

Another story does not speculate about whether the bodies were Christian.

Earlier story

Why do they automatically assume the bodies were buried at the same time as the catacombs were carved? There was a world wide epidemic in 535 CE which I've seen estimates that one half to three quarters of the earth's population was wiped out. Logically, those bodies could be from that period rather than the first century. Had burial methods changed that drastically from the first to the sixth century? I don't know that answer.

I think if that many upper class members were Christians in the first century, then we would have known about it. Were Christians the only ones to cover bodies in lime?

Way too early in the story for any conclusions. If the Vatican is backing this survey 100%, I say, let the buyer beware.

S.C.Carlson · 06-26-2006, 01:35 PM

I think we're going to wait for the real (i.e., peer-review) report by the archeologists. The press has a habit of over-sentionalizing these things, often because they drop some crucial qualification or conceptual distinction here and there.

Stephen

S.C.Carlson · 06-30-2006, 07:00 AM

According to this blog, the remains are now believed to be from the third century.

Stephen Carlson

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06-26-2006, 01:35 PM	#3
S.C.Carlson Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,307	I think we're going to wait for the real (i.e., peer-review) report by the archeologists. The press has a habit of over-sentionalizing these things, often because they drop some crucial qualification or conceptual distinction here and there. Stephen

06-30-2006, 07:00 AM	#4
S.C.Carlson Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,307	According to this blog, the remains are now believed to be from the third century. Stephen Carlson

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