Scientists made a unique discovery during archaeological excavations at Miland Castle in Castelnaudary, France. There was a tradition of embalming the dead in the family of local aristocrats Komon. This study was the first bioarchaeological confirmation of this practice in Western Europe, which sheds light on the rituals of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Researchers from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) studied the remains of seven adults, five children and a mummified woman found in the castle. A total of almost 2,000 bone fragments were discovered. Careful analysis showed that the technique of embalming in the Komon family had a standardized approach and was applied to people of all ages. Carolina Partiot, the project's lead researcher, said the procedure involved complex skin removal operations that even involved the fingertips. These methods correlate with the descriptions of the 18th century French surgeon Pierre Dionis, who documented similar practices in Marseilles.
Unlike ancient Egyptian or South American practices, embalming in Europe had a different purpose. In the case of the Comon family, the purpose was not to preserve the body for a long time, but to prepare it for funeral ceremonies. Such a tradition symbolized high social status and was similar to the rituals of the famous Italian Medici family of the 15th century. The study also shows that the practice has been preserved for two centuries, passed down as a family heirloom. This discovery helps to better understand the cultural values of the aristocracy of early modern Europe.
The discovery at Miland Castle not only confirms the existence of embalming in Europe, but also emphasizes its importance as a symbol of prestige. This practice was an integral part of the identity of aristocratic families, and the find gives a new perspective on the funeral rituals of the time.
