Two tales of one city: data, inference and Carthaginian infant sacrifice

Schwartz, Jeffrey H.; Houghton, Frank; Bondioli, Luca; Macchiarelli, Roberto

doi:10.15184/aqy.2016.270

Cited by 20 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The most accurate method for estimating age at death in immature individuals is based on the histological evaluation of dental development through growth markers, formed during the enamel matrix deposition of deciduous teeth and the eruption of the first permanent molar [11,12]. Concerning the Tophet infants, Schwartz and colleagues [13] have successfully performed dental histology and ascertained the actual survival for at least 10-15 days post-partum on a sample of 24 cremated teeth from the Tophet of Carthage, out of a total of 50 deciduous incisors [6,13]. Despite these promising results, analyses with conventional histology involve a certain degree of sample destruction and obviously are not reproducible; moreover, in the case of cremated remains, the poor preservation of the dental crowns could complicate the cutting procedure as well as the correct orientation of the sections.…”

Section: A Age-at-death Estimation: the Case Of The Tophet Infantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite their controversial nature and debates over their exact function [5][6][7], the Tophets represent an ideal case study. Found in Phoenician-Punic cities around the Mediterranean area, Tophets are distinct burial areas, located in city marginal areas, intended for the deposition of fetal, newborn or infants, whose remains were cremated and placed in cinerary urns [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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XRM imaging for non-destructive age at death estimation of the incinerated teeth from the Motya Tophet

Trocchi,

Fattore,

Cognigni

et al. 2023

Proceedings of the 2022 IMEKO TC4 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

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The study of odonto-skeletal remains of immature individuals provides important information on the cultural significance of childhood in past societies. The Tophetsi.e., distinct burial areas for infant cremated remains found in several Phoenician-Punic colonies in the Mediterranean areaoffer an ideal case study to test the potential of alternative analysis approaches on cremated remains. This study presents a non-destructive methodology based on Xray microscopy (XRM), aimed to analyze a sample of cremated deciduous teeth from the Tophet of Motya, providing information on the demographic profile and age-at-death classes of the buried individuals. The results are consistent with previous studies on remains from other Tophets and highlight the importance of using non-invasive techniques to collect and analyze data that are useful for the interpretation of burial practices reserved for newborns and infants in the Phoenician world. I.

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Section: A Age-at-death Estimation: the Case Of The Tophet Infantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

XRM imaging for non-destructive age at death estimation of the incinerated teeth from the Motya Tophet

Trocchi,

Fattore,

Cognigni

et al. 2023

Proceedings of the 2022 IMEKO TC4 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

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“…40. Voir le récent débat sur l'âge des enfants du tophet de Carthage entre Schwartz et alii (2010Schwartz et alii ( , 2012Schwartz et alii ( , 2017 et Smith et alii (2011Smith et alii ( , 2013. Lire aussi l'article de synthèse de V. ).…”

Section: La Crémation Des Périnataux Dans L'aire Sacréeunclassified

Introduction au dossier

Aounallah¹,

Brouquier-Reddé²

2020

antafr

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Les résultats sont abordés selon différentes approches. L'architecture d'un nouveau mausolée turriforme et d'une des bazinas de forme circulaire atteste un haut niveau culturel hellénistique de la société et des artisans numides. Le mobilier des chambres de la bazina apporte une multitude de données préliminaires sur les pratiques funéraires à inhumations collectives qui associent enfants et adultes. La céramique préromaine des bazinas de cette nécropole, datée entre la fin du IV e s. et le I er s. av. J.-C., fait l'objet d'un essai de typologie et d'une analyse pétrographique. L'espace funéraire a continué d'être utilisé jusqu'au deuxième ou troisième tiers du III e s. apr. J.-C. et l'examen d'un ensemble de stèles inscrites, de mensae et de crémations dans des marmites neuves est l'occasion, pour la première fois à Dougga, de confronter les données anthropologiques aux épitaphes. Enfin l'étude pluridisciplinaire de quelques stèles votives et cruches cinéraires découvertes in situ dans l'aire sacrée de Baal Hammon -Saturne est également une première dans ce site et elle remet en question les identifications anciennes et confirme les crémations de périnataux avec des caprinés et des offrandes végétales jusqu'en 80 apr. J.-C.

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“…The debate as to whether or not the Carthaginians practised child sacrifice and the question of exactly how to interpret the archaeological evidence continues to the present (e.g. Schwartz et al 2012Schwartz et al , 2017Smith et al 2011Smith et al , 2013Xella et al 2013). Child sacrifice, and the broader context of Orientalist attitudes towards the Semitic Phoenicians, makes this case particularly compelling.…”

Section: Salammbômentioning

confidence: 99%

Historical fiction and archaeological interpretation

Helden¹,

Witcher²

2019

Researching the Archaeological Past Through Imagined Narratives

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Two tales of one city: data, inference and Carthaginian infant sacrifice

Abstract: Abstract

Cited by 20 publications

References 21 publications

XRM imaging for non-destructive age at death estimation of the incinerated teeth from the Motya Tophet

XRM imaging for non-destructive age at death estimation of the incinerated teeth from the Motya Tophet

Introduction au dossier

Historical fiction and archaeological interpretation

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