Making the Invisible Visible: Burial Customs in Late Roman–Byzantine-Period Western Galilee, Based on Organic Remains Adhering to Metal Objects

This study examines textile remains preserved on metal objects retrieved from burial contexts in western Upper Galilee, including personal adornments, amuletic artifacts, musical instruments and grave goods.These finds shed light on funerary practices and customs throughout the Late Roman and Byzantine periods, from the fourth to the midseventh century CE.Microscopic examinations of the metal objects revealed remnants of organic material, suggesting a two-stage burial process, wherein the deceased were first dressed in a long-sleeved tunic and adorned with various ornaments, and then covered with shrouds.The presence of textile remains on various objects, like coins and musical instruments, hints at their symbolic role as offerings or personal possessions placed next to the deceased, before covering them with fabric, to accompany their journey to the afterlife.This interdisciplinary approach emphasizes the potential in studying organic remains even in areas where preservation is habitually low.