Tangible Traces 0f Devotion: The Post-mortem Life of Relics

Authors

  • Anna Kjellström Osteoarchaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37718/CSA.2017.17

Keywords:

saints, mos teutonicus, Sweden, sharp force trauma

Abstract

Though relics have attracted immense interest from a variety of scholars, not much attention has been paid to the practical handling of the holy corporal remains. Here, with the aim of better understand- ing the treatment of the bodies and relics as physical objects in Sweden during the Middle Ages, osseous materials from three different contexts were osteo- logically analysed. The investigation offers detailed insight into the treatment of the bones and makes it possible to distinguish three physical phases of the cult of relics. The three phases demonstrate the utilitarian administration of the bones and the for- titude of belief.

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Published

2017-12-28

How to Cite

Kjellström, A. . (2017) “Tangible Traces 0f Devotion: The Post-mortem Life of Relics”, Current Swedish Archaeology, 25(1), pp. 151–175. doi: 10.37718/CSA.2017.17.

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Research Articles