Archaeoentomological Investigation of the Filling Material in Holy Human Remains: the Blessed Angelo of Gualdo Tadino (Central Italy)

Funerary archaeoentomology is a discipline that studies insects found in archaeological burial contexts, offering insights into funerary practices, environmental conditions and post-mortem processes. In addition, the study of insects from archaeological contexts allows for the identification of the alterations of the body and of any elements (clothes, offerings, tools, etc.) associated with the body that allow a better and deeper understanding of the peri- and post-mortem events. The study of stored archaeological specimens is vital for the detection of potential infestation that can damage irreversibly the precious material. In this paper, the results of the entomological analysis conducted on the filling material used in the preparation of the body of Blessed Angelo of Gualdo Tadino (thirteenth-fourteenth centuries) are presented. The filling material, composed of cotton waste, showed an significant infestation of insects belonging to species of beetles (Coleoptera, Ptinidae and Dermestidae) and clothes moths (Lepidoptera, Tineidae). These species originated in the filling material, suggesting that their presence dates back to the time of its original use, and are not related to the body decomposition process. Appearance and preservation suggest that the infestation of the cotton did not persist after its use as filling material in the body, potentially due to the use of chemicals or plant extracts in the preparation of the corpse. Furthermore, in this paper, the considerations and procedures that must be addressed when working with the mortal remains of Saints are discussed.