Crucifixions took place for over one thousand years, the Romans, Assyrians, Phoenicians and Persians all practiced crucifixion , thousands of slaves, criminals and marginalised people were executed. Despite this, only a single piece of tangible evidence of crucifixion exist.
In 1968 an ossuary was discovered in Jerusalem & as part of a Jewish tomb, it held the remains of a male in his mid-twenties. The partial remains of his heel revealed an iron nail driven through. Upon publication by anthropologists it was lauded as unique proof of crucifixion, but the evidence has been contested by biblical scholars and academics. However, a subsequent discovery in 2007 of a 2,000-year-old skeleton in Northern Italy revealed a lesion on the heel. Again, heralded as tangible evidence of crucifixion by anthropologists and other interdisciplinary researchers.
The first discovery questions the perceived historical means of crucifixion. The heel bearing the nail was driven through the side, thus the feet must have mounted each side of the cross and not centrally as previously believed. This religious stereotype has influenced the views of the religious and researchers over the years. However, there is absolutely no evidence that crucifixion was actually carried out in this way.
Source: “A multidisciplinary study of calcaneal trauma in Roman Italy: a possible case of crucifixion? Journal of Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences: 2018
The history and pathology of crucifixion. Retief FP, Cilliers L. S Afr Med J 2003;93: 938-41
The pathology of crucifixion. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14750495
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A recent (re) analysis of two Egyptian mummies, this time using infrared imaging, has enabled scientists to see the markings on the mummified skin which have been revealed as tattoos. In the past other mummies have revealed tattoos on the necks , hands and fingers from as far as South America.
The Gebelein mummies are in the possession British Museum and both , a male and a female date between 3351 B.C - 3017 B.C and are now considered to be amongst the earliest evidence of tattooing with only ‘Ötzi the Ice Man’ dating back to about 3370 B.C who also has evidence of tattooing and has some 61 tattoos across his body. However, the Gebelein mummies tattoos are considered amongst academics as the earliest known that depict recognised images and include wild bulls and possibly sheep. And for the first time it can be concluded that both men and women had tattoos in ancient Egyptian society.
As science and imaging progresses more interesting and accurate interpretations of artefacts can be concluded. Of equal interest is the effects that climate change and global warning are having over ice glaziers and their rapid melting has revealed intact early humans, ‘Ötzi the Ice Man’ being discovered in Southern Austria / Northern Italy.
Credits: @archaeologyink @britishmuseum
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#ancienthistory #anthropology #humans
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