An archaeology of memory : the 'reinvention' of Roman sarcophagi in Provence during the Middle Ages
This thesis is an exercise in the archaeology of memory. It investigates the reuse and âreinventionâ of late antique sarcophagi during the Middle Ages in the southern part of Gaul, with a particular emphasis on their reinvention for saints. The region of Provence has a large number of sarcophagi reused for the burial of saints (at least 20), including many of its most important holy figures such as Mary Magdalene, Cassian and Honorat. I shall analyse three groups of sites: the Alyscamps in Arles, Saint-Maximin and Tarascon (the sites connected with Mary Magdalene and her companions) and the monastery of Saint Victor in Marseille. In each case, the sarcophagi became part of an invented narrative created around the imagined antiquity of the site. These narratives varied significantly: some were monastic, others episcopal or biblical, still others heroic: but all were created around antique sarcophagi. Antiquities thus became monumental realms of memory for individuals and events that were thought to have been of significant historical importance in Provence. They formed part of the popular history and collective identity of the region. I will show that their association with saints changed the very function
Wyche, Rose-Marie
Archeology ; Materials studies (archaeology) ; Reception of Classical antiquity ; Late antiquity and the Middle Ages ; sarcophagi ; Provence ; Roman ; medieval ; Middle Ages
An archaeology of memory : the 'reinvention' of Roman sarcophagi in Provence during the Middle Ages. This thesis is an exercise in the archaeology of memory. It investigates the reuse and âreinventionâ of late antique sarcophagi during the Middle Ages in the southern part of Gaul, with a particular emphasis on their reinvention for saints. The region of Provence has a large number of sarcophagi reused for the burial of saints (at least 20), including many of its most important holy figures such as Mary Magdalene, Cassian and Honorat. I shall analyse three groups of sites: the Alyscamps in Arles, Saint-Maximin and Tarascon (the sites connected with Mary Magdalene and her companions) and the monastery of Saint Victor in Marseille. In each case, the sarcophagi became part of an invented narrative created around the imagined antiquity of the site. These narratives varied significantly: some were monastic, others episcopal or biblical, still others heroic: but all were created around antique sarcophagi. Antiquities thus became monumental realms of memory for individuals and events that were thought to have been of significant historical importance in Provence. They formed part of the popular history and collective identity of the region. I will show that their association with saints changed the very function
archaeology memory reinvention roman middle_ages exercise archaeology memory investigates reuse reinvention late_antique middle_ages southern part gaul particular_emphasis reinvention saint region large_number reuse burial saint least include many important holy figure mary shall analyse three_group site saint site connect mary monastery saint victor case become_part invent narrative create around imagined antiquity site narrative vary significantly monastic others episcopal biblical still others heroic create around antique antiquities thus become monumental realms memory individual event think significant historical importance form_part popular history collective_identity region show association saint change function