State of the art of the funerary archaeoentomological investigations in Italy

Abstract

Archaeoentomology is a branch of environmental archaeology focusing on insects and other arthropods contributing, with other disciplines, to reconstruct a more complete view of past events, climate and landscape. Funerary archaeoentomology focuses on the arthropods associated with human remains or with elements part of funerary rituals such as offerings. In the last years, several papers have been published on Italian material covering around 5000 years. Sardinian necropolis, Egyptian mummies and offerings stored in public collections are among the oldest samples in which insects have been evidenced. Mummified and skeletonised bodies of kings, Saints and common people are another important source of insects in addition to remains of WWI soldiers. The arthropod remains found during these investigations belong mainly to Diptera (flies), Coleoptera (beetles) and Arachnida (mites). The aim of this paper is to summarise the Italian data about insects associated with human remains of archaeological interest in order to increase the interest and the utilisation of a discipline too often underestimated.

Morphological and molecular characterization of puparia of Piophilidae species of forensic relevance

“…Accurate species identification is therefore an essential prerequisite to ensure the reliable analysis of insect material in archaeological and forensic investigations (Giordani et al, 2019; Smith, 1986; Tuccia et al, 2022). Closely related species may share the same geographical distribution and exploit the same resources but show different developmental rates, seasonal patterns and/or habitat preferences, thus leading to potential misinterpretations if there is an erroneous identification.…”

Morphological studies of fly puparia (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the soil from a Joseon Dynasty grave in Korea

“…Archaeoentomological remains of puparia attached to corpses have been excavated from catacombs in Europe [ 2 ], mummies in Egypt [ 3 ], and tombs in Central and South America [ 4 , 5 ] and Japan [ 6 ]. Arthropod artifacts from tombs, such as beetle pieces, insect fragments (bodies and eggshells), and fly puparia, are covered with hard shells, which act as important archaeological and forensic indicators because their development can help determine the time of death and provide archaeological evidence [ 7 ].…”

“…However, in other countries, the excavation of puparia artifacts has been interpreted differ- ently. For example, the presence of fly puparia in Egyptian mummies is attributed to the use of fly maggots during artificial mummification [3], whereas, in coffins in the basements of European churches and tomb artifacts in Central and South America, they may be formed during storage [2][3][4][5].…”