I’m searching for papers exploring the tradition of preserving Christian bodies/skeletons in wax or other materials, (eg St Victoria in Rome) and have hit a blank. If you can recommend any please let me know.
My main focus of study is Neolithic plastered skulls but I am trying to interpret it in a wider context, so tbh other forms of preservation (excluding PNG and Oceanic skulls) could also be useful.
I am especially searching for the use of materials that are precious in themselves. Thanks
I recommend Robert Bartlett's Why Can the Dead Do Such Great Things?: Saints and Worshippers from the Martyrs to the Reformation.
Hi - we as mods have approved this thread, because while this is a homework question, it is asking for clarification or resources, rather than the answer itself, which is fine according to our rules. This policy is further explained in this Rules Roundtable thread and this META Thread.
As a result, we'd also like to remind potential answerers to follow our rules on homework - please make sure that your answers focus appropriately on clarifications and detailing the resources that OP could be using.
Additionally, while users may be able to help you out with specifics relating to your question, we also have plenty of information on /r/AskHistorians on how to find and understand good sources in general. For instance, please check out our six-part series, "Finding and Understanding Sources", which has a wealth of information that may be useful for finding and understanding information for your essay.