Parasitology in an archaeological context: analysis of medieval burials in Nivelles, Belgium (original) (raw)

The abbatial complex of Nivelles, erected in the 7th Century, was composed of three churches: Notre-Dame, St. Paul, and Saint-Pierre/Sainte-Gertrude (Figure 1). Notre-Dame was initially the abbey church and later became the parish church. The church of St. Paul housed a male community. Saint-Pierre/Sainte-Gertrude, named for first abbess Gertrude, was initially the funeral church. It later received St. Gertrude's body and became the main church. Renovations at the Grand Place of Nivelles disturbed the subsoil in the historical heart of the city from early March 2009 until January 2011. Although some features excavated at Nivelles were known from ancient texts, many are new to the historical record of the region. Given the significant impact of the unearthing of such features, the Department of Archaeology of the Public Service of Wallonia intervened in the renovation efforts. The archaeological excavations uncovered seven distinct sets of features: 1) scattered features older than the abbey, 2) a tiler's work area, 3) a graveyard to the west, 4) St. Paul's church, 5) the church of Notre-Dame with its parish cemetery, 6) the abbey's district, and 7) parts of roads. The cemetery west of the St. Pierre/St. Gertrude church (dating to approximately 1000 A.D.) drew attention due to its excellent state of preservation. Multiple burials and anaerobic conditions allowed for optimal preservation of organic materials.