Mysteries of Ancient Rome: the skeletons ‘nailed’ to Ostiense

Quattro skeletons con nailsplanted in the chest discovered at the beginning of March during preventive excavations for a new student residence along theVia Ostiensenear theBasilica of San Paolo a Romaarouses the curiosity ofarchaeologistsand is also echoed bynewspapers of the world.

The operators ofSpecial Superintendency of Archaeologyintent on probing an area for future construction sites, have unearthed an unpublished sector of theOstiense necropolis: dozens oflate ancient tombsdating back to3rd and 5th centuries ADwith a chilling detail. At least three or fourskeletons– robust men between 20 and 40 years old, perhaps laborers or plebeians –rough iron nails10-15 cm long, were systematically stuck on thechestsome folded as in aritual gesturehasty.

The international echo of the discovery

La discoveryimmediately attracted theinternational attention. ‘Heritage Daily’ ha titolato: “Ancient Roman rite revealed by nail found in chest of Roman burial”, collegando i reperti a un protective funerary rite. Il New York Timesinstead he focused on the ‘dark’ side of burial: “In a Roman Tomb, ‘Dead Nails’ Reveal an Occult Practice”.

Apotropaic rituals and the meaning of nails

Beyond the suggestions, however, thearchaeologiststhey seem to have no doubts: it’s not about violence, but aboutrituali apotropaici. I nails, “hot” metalin popular beliefs, they served to “secure” lo spirit nel kingdom of the deadby impeding himrestless deathsto return to the living. “It is not accidental: the position on thechest, seat of the soul secondo i Romaniblocks vital movement,” explains a Superintendency report cited by ‘Heritage Daily’.

The rite of ‘fixing a nail’

The gesture recalls the ‘to fix a nail’, Etruscan-Roman riteancient dating back to4th century BC al temple of Juno Monetahere adapted tofunerary context. In fact, in 396 BC, after the siege of Veii, the Roman dictatorMarco Furio Camilloperformed the gesture in the temple of Juno Moneta sulCapitol(located where today there is the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli). The act of hammering asacred nailsymbolized the closure ofcycle of misfortuneappeasing the goddess and ensuring prosperity. The practice, attested byLivy(Ab Urbe Condita V, 23), became proverbial (“one nail after another”) and here echoes in thefunerary nailsto “fix” the dead.

Contexts and analogies in Sagalassos in Türkiye

Similar ritualsemerge from previous excavations, such asSagalassos in Türkiye(2023, 41 bent nails), but theOstiense necropolis– known since the 1870s and 1917 – now offers something newlate ancient chapterperhaps related toepidemic o oriental cults locali.

The mystery of the deceased

What still remains unresolved is thenature of the deceased: why them? No inscription, no amulet. THErusty nailsintentionally deformed, evoke aritual urgency. “Un semi-clandestine cultinterweaving ofofficial religion e folklore”, suggest the experts, opening scenarios fromarchaeological thriller.”