Kroppskultur på liv och död : En osteoarkeologisk studie av kroppskultur i ett gotländskt cistercienskloster

Sammanfattning: This master thesis aims at portraying the living and dead body in Roma monastery at the island of Gotland through archaeological and osteological analyses. The osteo-archaeological material from Roma analysed consists of two individuals from coffin burials in the chapter-house and possibly four individuals from a chamber in the cloister. The main question in this thesis is to investigate the relationship between these individuals and the understanding of the religious body in the Cistercian order, especially in respect to the Rule of Sankt Benedict. Manual and spiritual work have been two important factors in Cistercian houses, and this could be seen in the osteo-archaeological material. Through osteological analysis degenerative changes in the spine and knees of the individuals were detected. These changes indicate that the individuals were active workers during a period of their life, and thereby lived according to the Rule. By means of an isotopeanalysis and a study of the dental status it is argued that the buried individuals were omnivores. The two burials from the chapter house are interpreted as abbot burials. It is also argued that all the interments studied in terms of burial practice display a high degree of liturgical expertise within the congregation of Roma monastery. The living had a will and a need to provide physical and spiritual care for their dead in line with the Rule of Sankt Benedict.