Archaeological and archaeobotanical analysis of the funerary ritual in urban and peri-urban necropolis of a Roman colony of Northern Italy

An interdisciplinary method involving different disciplines of archeology was carried out on the necropolis of Mutina, in order to have a complete view of the funerary rituals. For a multidisciplinary approach in order to study the funerary rituals, epigraphic, litterary, iconographic, archaeological and archaeobotanical evidences have been taken into consideration. A total of 142 graves and 4 structures have been analysed, coming from 8 necropolis (1st – 4th century AD). Over 2131 liters of soil was sieved and then archaeobotanical (seeds/fruit, charcoals) and archaeological findings were collected. These remains of meals left on the graves and of the objects involved in the ceremonies, are evidences resulting from the attendance of the funeral space. In addition to traditional methods, new technologies (CT-scan and SAXS - in collaboration with Huddersfield University) helped to study offerings presence.