An ossuary is a repository or container specifically designed to hold the bones of the deceased. They serve as functional spaces for the respectful storage of human remains, as well as demonstrate architectural and artistic elements that are culturally significant.
Ossuaries can be found in a range of forms, from simple clay pots to elaborate underground chambers. With numerous examples found worldwide, these structures offer insights into cultural and religious practices surrounding death and the afterlife. In some cases, ossuaries have even been the subject of archaeological discoveries, shedding light on historical mysteries and sparking debates among researchers.
Key Takeaways
- Ossuaries are containers or structures designed to house human bones, usually following an initial burial
- They exist in various forms and have cultural and religious significance
- Many ossuaries are archaeological sites that offer insights into the past
Understanding Ossuaries
Definition and Purpose
An ossuary is a special container or structure designed to hold the collective bones of deceased individuals after their initial burial has taken place. The primary purpose of an ossuary is to make efficient use of limited burial space.
When a grave site becomes too crowded, or the need arises to reuse the burial plot, the remains may be exhumed (dug up) and transferred to an ossuary. Ossuaries have been used across several cultures and periods in history.
Types of Ossuaries
Box Ossuaries: These are small containers made from materials like stone, wood, clay or metal, and they often hold the remains of a single individual. They can be quite ornate, with intricate carvings or inscriptions to honor the deceased. A famos box ossuary is the James Ossuary, from near Jerusalem.
Charnel Houses: A larger structure made to accommodate the bones of multiple individuals, charnel houses can be standalone buildings or part of a larger complex. They often feature sections or compartments to separate the skeletal remains.
Examples of Charnel Houses:
- Charnet house at Saint Catherine’s Monasterin in the Sinai Peninsula
- Charnel house at Spitalfields, England
Catacombs: An underground network of tunnels and chambers, catacombs typically house the remains of multiple people in alcoves or niches built into the walls. This type of ossuary is often found beneath churches, and have been used to inter the remains of clergy members, noble families, or members of specific religious groups.
Examples of Catacombs as ossuaries:
- Catacombs of Priscilla, Rome, Italy
- Catacombs of Paris, France
Bone Churches: Also known as ossuaries within religious buildings, bone churches see bones artfully arranged to form structures, ornaments, or decorative elements. One of the most famous is the Sedlec Ossuary in the Czech Republic. Here the bones of between 40,000 to 70,000 people intricately decorate the inside of a chapel.
Ossuaries vs mausaleums and columbariums
While all serve as final resting places, ossuaries, mausoleums, and columbariums are deal with remains at different stages.
Ossuaries are typically individual containers for bones after primary burial and decomposition. They can contain the remains of one to thousands of people.
Mausoleums are often grand structures housing entire bodies. Mausoleiums can be for individuals, families or entire communities.
Columbariums are designed specifically for cremated remains with niches or compartments.
Famous Ossuaries Around the World
The Catacombs of Paris
The Catacombs of Paris are a vast underground network that contains the remains of more than six million people. It was created in the 18th century to alleviate overcrowded cemeteries and provide a burial ground for thousands of Parisians. The ossuary has been meticulously arranged, with bones and skulls placed in artistic designs.
Sedlec Ossuary
Located in the Czech Republic, the Sedlec Ossuary is a small Roman Catholic chapel that houses the remains of an estimated 40,000 to 70,000 individuals. It is most famously known for its macabre decorations made entirely of human bones, including a magnificent chandelier. The ossuary’s history dates back to the 13th century when a Cistercian monastery was founded in Sedlec and later, the ossuary was built in the 14th century due to the growing number of burials.
Douaumont Ossuary
The Douaumont Ossuary in France is a memorial site for the soldiers who perished during the Battle of Verdun, one of the deadliest and longest battles of World War I. This ossuary contains the remains of approximately 130,000 unidentified French and German soldiers.
Phnom Penh Memorial Stupa
Phnom Penh Memorial Stupa, located in Cambodia, is an ossuary monument built in the memory of the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. The stupa contains more than 8,000 skulls and other human remains, giving you a glimpse into the dark past of the country.
Historical Context of Ossuaries: Ancient Civilizations
Ossuaries, from the Latin “ossus” meaning bone, have been used for millennia across diverse cultures and civilizations. Cultures from around the world used ossuaries:
- Israel (Second Temple Period, 3rd century BCE – 70 CE): Jewish communities during this period widely adopted ossuaries, often intricately carved from limestone. These “bone boxes” housed the remains of deceased individuals after an initial burial period, allowing for secondary interment in family tombs or communal ossuaries. The decorated ossuaries of Jerusalem, with inscriptions in Hebrew and Aramaic, provide valuable insights into Jewish funerary practices and family lineages.
- Etruscan civilization (9th-1st centuries BCE, Italy): The Etruscans, known for their advanced metalworking and underground tombs, also employed ossuaries. Carved from stone or terracotta, these containers often depicted scenes from Etruscan mythology and daily life, offering clues into their beliefs about the afterlife and the importance of honoring the dead.
- Ancient Greece (Mycenaean period, 1600-1100 BCE): Mycenaean Greeks used pit tombs lined with stones or clay urns to house the remains of their deceased. These early ossuaries, though simpler than their later counterparts, provide insights into funerary practices during this formative period of Greek civilization.
- India (Indus Valley Civilization, 3300-1300 BCE): Evidence from burial sites in Harappa and Mohenjo-daro may suggest the use of large ceramic urns for secondary burials. These ossuaries, often placed in brick-lined pits, offer clues into the Indus Valley people’s beliefs about death and the afterlife, although much remains shrouded in mystery due to the incomplete understanding of their language and culture.
- Mesoamerica (Pre-Columbian civilizations): Some ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures practiced secondary burials, placing the remains of their deceased in ossuaries after an initial period of decomposition. These ossuaries, often made from clay or carved from stone, were sometimes decorated with symbols and motifs related to their belief systems.
World War I
Fast forward to World War I, ossuaries became especially crucial in the aftermath of the large-scale battles that took place across Europe. With thousands of soldiers killed during these conflicts, traditional cemeteries became quickly overwhelmed. As a result, ossuaries were introduced as a practical solution to organize and preserve the remains of these fallen warriors.
One prime example of this wartime use is the Douaumont Ossuary in France. It serves as the final resting place for approximately 130,000 unidentified French and German soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of Verdun.
Ossuaries in Religion
Judaism
Ossuaries play a significant role in Jewish burial practices, particularly during the Second Temple period. You might come across these stone or clay boxes, often adorned with intricate decorations, in various archeological sites around Jerusalem. They were used to hold the bones of deceased Jews after the primary burial, allowing the families to subsequently gather and reinter the remains in more compact and space-efficient graves.
Zoroastrianism
In Zoroastrianism, ossuaries have a distinct function as part of the ancient religion’s burial rites. Zoroastrians would avoid cremation, as fire is considered sacred. Direct earth burial would be avoided so as not to impede the spirit’s (fravashi) journey to the afterlife.
The solution is to place the deceased in a dakhma, or “Tower of Silence,” an elevated circular structure. Here, the bodies are left exposed to the elements and scavenging birds. After the process of excarnation is complete, the bones are placed in an ossuary for permanent storage, ensuring that the physical remains are treated respectfully, without violating Zoroastrian beliefs.
Roman Catholicism
In Roman Catholicism, ossuaries may be encountered in the form of crypts, catacombs, or a columbarium. Roman Catholic’s use various types of ossuaries, from simple stone boxes to elaborately carved and ornamented chambers. They serve an essential purpose, particularly in metropolitan areas where burial space is limited or costly, by offering a respectful and collective place for honoring the dead.
Greek Orthodox
The Greek Orthodox Church, a significant branch of the Eastern Orthodox Church, also sometimes utilizes ossuaries in its burial practices. Following a customary period of three years after interment in a temporary grave, the deceased’s remains would be exhumed and cleaned as part of a ritual known as “panikhida.”
Then, the bones are carefully placed in an ossuary or a communal repository, often located within the confines of the church or a designated area of a cemetery.
Archaeological and Controversial Findings
Talpiot Tomb
In 1980, archaeologists discovered the Talpiot Tomb in Jerusalem. This tomb dates back to the Second Temple Period and has been the subject of intense debate. Some claim this tomb belonged to Jesus of Nazareth and his family. However this is disputed by many scholars.
This limestone tomb contained several ossuaries, which were used for containing the bones of the deceased. Researchers have analyzed the inscriptions and artifacts found within the tomb, but there is still no definitive answer to the tomb’s occupants.
Jericho and Galilee
Jericho and Galilee, both well-known for their archaeological significance, offer insight into the use of ossuaries during the Chalcolithic Period and Second Temple Period. In Jericho, you’ll find multiple graves containing ossuaries with Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek inscriptions. In Galilee, ossuaries were widely used by Jewish populations, providing fascinating insights into burial practices during the time.
Inscriptions and Forgeries
A limestone box at the Royal Ontario Museum, boasting an inscription mentioning “Jesus, son of Joseph,” has ignited archaeological and biblical debate. Initially hailed by some as authentic, including Oded Golan and André Lemaire, the “Jesus ossuary” soon faced forgery accusations from the Israel Antiquities Authority. The inscription’s unusual style and inconsistent patina fueled skepticism, sparking a heated scholarly clash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of an ossuary?
An ossuary is a place where the skeletal remains of deceased individuals are stored, usually after their bodies have decomposed. The purpose of an ossuary is to save burial space and allow for the respectful handling of remains. By consolidating the bones in a designated area, it makes it possible to reuse burial plots for new interments.
How do ossuaries differ from catacombs?
Ossuaries and catacombs both deal with the storage of human remains. However, catacombs are underground tunnels and chambers, often used for burial, while ossuaries specifically store disarticulated bones. Catacombs may contain intact bodies or skeletons in tombs or niches, whereas ossuaries contain only the skeletal remains, typically after the bodies have decomposed elsewhere.
What is the difference between an ossuary and a columbarium?
Although both ossuaries and columbarims are used to store human remains, they differ in the form of the remains they hold. Ossuaries contain skeletal remains, while columbariums are designed to store cremated remains, usually inside urns placed in individual niches.
Can you provide examples of ossuaries in the US?
In the United States, ossuaries are less common compared to other countries. While there may be smaller, private ossuaries in certain locations, one example of a public ossuary is the Skull Crypt at the Old Brick Church in New York City. Another example is the columbarium at the Neptune Society Columbarium in San Francisco, which also features an ossuary for skeletal remains.
Is there a distinction between an ossuary box and a coffin?
Yes, there is a distinction between an ossuary box and a coffin. An ossuary box is a container specifically designed to hold the disarticulated bones of one or more individuals. In contrast, a coffin is a burial container meant to hold an intact, deceased body. The significant difference lies in the type of remains each is designed to store: ossuary boxes for skeletal remains and coffins for intact bodies.
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