Differential burial treatment of newborn infants from late roman age. Children and dogs depositions at Peltuinum
The Authors present and discuss the findings of an unusual case of burial of humans and dogs from Peltuinum (Abruzzo, Italy, Late Roman Empire). Four wells of the ancient theater of the city yielded bones attributed to 85 fetuses and newborns, associated with hundreds of faunal remains, mainly dogs of different ages (adults, puppies and fetuses). As for the dogs, there is some suggestion of their sacrifice for ritual purposes related to the death of infants.