Fresh cadaver to skeletal matter : text, practice and the Cluniac death-course
This study examines how the dead were engaged with, treated and managed by one of the most influential of medieval monastic orders, the Cluniacs. At the heart of this study is a consideration of the eleventh-century Cluniac customaries. These invaluable yet under-exploited texts prescribe in minute detail how the dying, the dead body and the monkâs memory should be physically and spiritually treated and commemorated. Through them we see a highly ritualised approach to the body, structured by interplay of repetitive symbolic actions, combined with the practical requirements of treating and disposing of a cadaver. These texts were intended to regulate daily life at Cluny, and of her dependencies and affiliates (Paxton 1993a: 1), for as Abbot Hughâs statute in 1200 directed, âas we are one congregation and order, we should conform in all thingsâ (Constable 2010: 140). They have, however, been described as âliving textsâ (Kerr 2007: 14) and the practices they prescribe termed, âadaptable to local needs and desiresâ (Constable 1976: 160-161). An integration of osteological and archaeological evidence has permitted a direct examination of the extent to which this was the case for the treatment of
Williams, Eleanor
CC Archaeology
Fresh cadaver to skeletal matter : text, practice and the Cluniac death-course. This study examines how the dead were engaged with, treated and managed by one of the most influential of medieval monastic orders, the Cluniacs. At the heart of this study is a consideration of the eleventh-century Cluniac customaries. These invaluable yet under-exploited texts prescribe in minute detail how the dying, the dead body and the monkâs memory should be physically and spiritually treated and commemorated. Through them we see a highly ritualised approach to the body, structured by interplay of repetitive symbolic actions, combined with the practical requirements of treating and disposing of a cadaver. These texts were intended to regulate daily life at Cluny, and of her dependencies and affiliates (Paxton 1993a: 1), for as Abbot Hughâs statute in 1200 directed, âas we are one congregation and order, we should conform in all thingsâ (Constable 2010: 140). They have, however, been described as âliving textsâ (Kerr 2007: 14) and the practices they prescribe termed, âadaptable to local needs and desiresâ (Constable 1976: 160-161). An integration of osteological and archaeological evidence has permitted a direct examination of the extent to which this was the case for the treatment of
fresh skeletal matter text practice death course study_examines dead engage treat manage one_influential medieval monastic order heart study consideration eleventh_century invaluable yet under exploited text prescribe minute detail dying dead body monk memory physically spiritually treat commemorate see highly ritualise body structure interplay repetitive symbolic action combine practical requirement treat dispose text intend regulate daily_life affiliate statute direct congregation order conform thing constable however describe live text practice prescribe term adaptable local need_desire constable integration osteological archaeological_evidence permit direct examination extent case treatment