La cristianizzazione delle pratiche funerarie: il caso di Padenghe

Christianization of burial rituals is a topic studied with a lot of attention by archaeologists in the last decades. They have analysed cases of apparent continuity of pagan burial habits, studying their specific meanings and new characteristics given them by Christian spirituality. A new theme to reflect about is offered by a sarcophagus found in Padenghe sul Garda which dates back between 6th and 7th century. Analysing its epigraphic, ornamental and functional equipment we can recognize a kind of heterodox funeral ritual, which implies the administration of the Eucharist to the deads.