EnglishArchaeologists use advanced photographic techniques to understand the unusual practice of the ancient Romans of pouring plaster on the remains of deceased relatives.
Researchers 3D scan plaster-covered remains in coffins. Image: York University
The ancient Romans poured a form of liquid plaster into the coffin, covering the dead body and letting the compound harden. This creates a void in which the original shape, size, and posture of the dead person is preserved as perfectly as cast. The team says Roman plaster tombs are found throughout Europe and North Africa, but are particularly common in Britain, with at least 45 documented cases.
In a study published June 3 at the York Festival of Ideas, scientists at York University collected 6D scans of 3 plaster tombs. This type of grave usually holds only one person per coffin. But the scan results revealed a plaster coffin containing the remains of the family of two adults and an infant who died at the same time.
"3D imaging allows us to witness a family tragedy nearly 2.000 years after it happened," said Professor Maureen Carroll, head of the department of Roman archaeology at York University. “The outlines of the three individuals under the plaster are clearly visible to the naked eye, but it is difficult to determine the relationships of the dead and how they were clothed or wrapped. 3D modeling helps clarify these ambiguities.”
Next, the research team will analyze more closely to find out the age, sex, diet, and even the geographical origin of family members in the grave. However, their research could not reveal why the Romans adopted such a form of burial, although apparently unrelated to high social status. Regardless of the purpose of pouring plaster, the practice is extremely useful to archaeologists who want to understand aspects of the life of the dead.
"Through advanced scanning technology, researchers are able to analyze archaeological material for details not visible to the naked eye," said Patrick Gibbs, chief technology officer of the Heritage360 project, who works with digital photography.
An Khang (Follow IFL Science)
