Unveiling the Ancient Practice of Baby Burial in Roman Britain: A New Perspective on Roman-Era Mortuary Practices
The ancient Romans had a peculiar burial custom that has long intrigued archaeologists and historians alike: the use of liquid gypsum to preserve the dead. While it was previously believed that this practice was exclusive to elite adults, recent discoveries in York, northern England, have shed new light on this mysterious ritual. Among the rare 'gypsum burials' found, researchers have uncovered a startling truth: babies were also mourned and buried in this unique way.
The 'Seeing the Dead' project, a collaboration between the University of York and the York Museums Trust, has been investigating these ancient burials. Their findings challenge the long-held belief that infants under 12 months old were not supposed to be mourned according to Roman-era legal sources. Maureen Carroll, a Roman archaeologist at the University of York, explains that while these legal sources exist, they only applied to public mourning. In private, the surviving family's sentiments, such as grief and loss, were not restricted.
Among the over 70 gypsum burials studied, at least seven were children, including three infants under 4 months old. The practice of liquid-gypsum burial was typically reserved for the Roman elite in York and was usually performed on adults. Infants were more commonly buried in large jars called amphorae, ceramic tile boxes, or small wooden coffins.
One remarkable discovery was made in 1892 during the construction of the York Railway. A newborn, just 1 or 2 months old, was found covered in a cloak of purple-dyed wool adorned with gold thread and tassels. This infant was then placed in a lead sarcophagus and covered in liquid gypsum. Despite the lack of remaining bones, impressions of the vibrant purple-and-gold cloak still exist, offering a glimpse into the burial's grandeur. This is the only known gypsum burial with dyed fabric, according to Sarah Hitchens, an archaeological textile expert at the University of York.
Chemists on the project team are analyzing the hardened gypsum to uncover more about Romano-British burial practices. They are testing for evidence of aromatic substances like frankincense or mastic, as well as the purple dye to determine its origin and composition. The gold threads will also be analyzed.
Another intriguing burial involved a child of about 4 months old, found wrapped between the legs of two adults. The researchers are unsure if these three individuals were related, but they were clearly closely associated in life and death. In another case, a 7-9-year-old girl was buried with an array of jewelry, including gold, silver, copper, jet, glass, and coral. Two pairs of boots and a pair of sandals were also discovered near her feet, along with the bones of a pet chicken.
These lavish burials of infants and children in York challenge the notion that Roman legal texts, primarily written by older men, accurately reflected the reality of life and death in Roman Britain. Carroll emphasizes that these findings suggest that young children were valued and cared for, contrary to the outdated belief that Romans showed no concern for infant deaths due to high mortality rates.
The project's discoveries offer a fascinating insight into the Roman-era mortuary practices and the importance of infants in Roman society, despite the high infant mortality rate. As the research continues, it promises to further enrich our understanding of ancient Roman culture and burial traditions.
