'They had not been seen ever before': Romans made liquid gypsum paste and smeared it over the dead before burial, leaving fingerprints behind, new research finds
NeutralScience
- Recent research has uncovered that Romans used a liquid gypsum paste in burial rituals, applying it over the deceased and leaving behind unique fingerprints. This practice offers new insights into Roman funerary customs and the significance of tactile memorialization in their culture.
- The discovery of fingerprints on the burial remains highlights the intricate and personal nature of Roman funerary practices, suggesting a deeper emotional connection to the deceased. It emphasizes the importance of understanding ancient rituals in the context of human experience and memory.
- This finding contributes to a broader understanding of Roman cultural practices, which include both violent conquests, as evidenced by archaeological discoveries of decapitated heads, and sophisticated construction techniques seen in their concrete-making methods. Such contrasts illustrate the complexity of Roman society, where advanced technology coexisted with brutal military tactics.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System
