Remnants of Ritual: A discussion of burial practices and material remains of Pompeian tombs

Abstract

As scholars, it is important to remember our own folly and the cultural biases we may be inadvertently projecting upon our scholarship. Nineteenth century excavators were appalled by piles of charred bones, terracotta and architectural fragments that were found near and in the tombs at Pompeii. It appeared to these excavators that Pompeians neglected their tomb sites and allowed rubbish and trash to pile up; they used this as evidence for a theory that Pompeii was experiencing a societal decline previous to the tragic destruction in the Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD. In my paper, I explore the tombs as multifunctioning centers of active ritual and retreat. In my opinion, these material remains are likely remnants of these rituals and banquets, and their existence should be expected in such active and often frequented venues. These piles of so-called rubbish should not be taken as evidence of a societal decline; rather they exemplify the dynamic and important role that tombs played in daily life at Pompeii.