Ancient Roman Skeletons Nailed Down to Protect Living From the Dead

Archaeologists working in Rome have uncovered a peculiar detail about ancient Roman burial practices: the deliberate placement of iron nails across the chests of three individuals interred roughly 1,800 years ago. The discovery, made within the sprawling Ostiense necropolis, suggests a belief in the demand to protect both the living and the dead, a practice rooted in anxieties surrounding the return of spirits and the vulnerability of the deceased.

The find, reported earlier today, isn’t entirely unexpected. Diletta Menghinello, an archaeologist with the Italian Ministry of Culture and lead on the excavation, explained to Live Science that the practice of placing nails in burials is “well documented in the Roman period and in later phases.” The nails weren’t accidental; they were systematically positioned over the chest area of the skeletons, indicating a deliberate ritual.

A Cemetery Along the Road

The Ostiense necropolis, initially excavated in 1919, stretches along the Via Ostiense, a major road leading into Rome. Recent work, prompted by upcoming housing construction, has revealed another section of this ancient cemetery, near the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. This latest excavation is helping researchers understand how burial customs evolved over centuries as the necropolis expanded. The site itself dates back as far as the second century B.C., continuing in use through the fourth century A.D., though the precise boundaries of the necropolis remain unclear. Archaeological Institute of America provides further context on the ongoing work at the Ostiense necropolis.

The skeletons found with the nails were buried in simple graves, dating to the third and fourth centuries A.D. But the purpose of the nails remains a subject of interpretation.

Protecting the Living from the Dead?

One theory centers on the fear of the “revenant” – a corpse that has returned from the dead. As Menghinello notes, the nails may have been used to symbolically “fix” the deceased, preventing them from rising and haunting the living. This belief, explored in a Live Science article, suggests a widespread anxiety about the reanimation of corpses in ancient Roman society. The nails, in this view, acted as a physical restraint, ensuring the dead remained at rest.

Though, the function wasn’t necessarily one-directional. The practice could also have been intended to protect the deceased themselves. The nails may have served as a talisman, safeguarding the individual from malevolent forces in the afterlife or deterring anyone from disturbing the tomb. This concept of “apotropaic” magic – using objects to ward off harm – was common in the ancient world.

“The nail ritual would therefore have served to preserve the body from potential violators of its final resting place, protect the deceased from malevolent forces and, at the same time, safeguard the surviving relatives from the possible return of the dead among the living,” Menghinello explained.

Beyond the Nails: Contextualizing Roman Burial Practices

The discovery of these nailed burials adds another layer to our understanding of Roman funerary customs. Roman burial practices were diverse, reflecting social status, religious beliefs, and regional variations. Whereas simple burials like these were common, wealthier individuals were often interred in elaborate tombs, sometimes accompanied by grave goods intended to accompany them in the afterlife. The use of nails, however, appears to have been a more widespread practice, cutting across social strata.

It’s important to note that the interpretation of these findings is based on archaeological evidence and historical context. We don’t have written accounts from the individuals who performed these rituals, so our understanding is necessarily incomplete. The precise motivations behind the practice may have varied from case to case, influenced by local beliefs and individual circumstances.

What Comes Next: Continued Excavation and Analysis

The excavation at the Ostiense necropolis is ongoing, and further discoveries are likely to shed more light on Roman burial practices. Archaeologists will continue to carefully excavate the site, documenting the location and condition of each burial. The skeletons themselves will be analyzed by physical anthropologists, who can provide insights into the age, sex, health, and cause of death of the individuals. Further research may also focus on the composition of the nails themselves, potentially revealing their origin and manufacturing techniques.

The ongoing work at the Ostiense necropolis is a reminder that archaeology is a continuous process of discovery. Each new find adds a piece to the puzzle, helping us to reconstruct the lives and beliefs of those who came before us. The discovery of these nailed burials offers a fascinating glimpse into the anxieties and rituals of the ancient Roman world, and underscores the enduring human fascination with death and the afterlife. You can find more information about the Special Superintendency of Rome’s work on their official website.