Voices from the cloister. Bioarchaeology of a modern Nunnery

Aim. In this paper, we present a summary of the Bioarchaeological analyses carried out in the church of SS. Annunziata of Valenza, Alessandria, between 2020 and 2021. Material and Methods: The Church harbors a crypt dated to the 18th century with 29 burial cells. Here, the Augustinian nuns of the nearby cloistered convent received a particular type of inhumation. The nuns were deposed inside the crypt in a sitting position, on a step inside a cell. The corpses were supported by a stick placed at the level of the bust; The skeletal remains of the nuns underwent an extensive anthropological palaeopathological analysis. Results and Discussion: The analysis confirmed that all the skeletons belonged to female individuals, by their monastic context. The taphonomic analysis confirmed that the nuns were seated inside burial cells within the crypt. The age distribution at death showed a higher proportion of individuals aged 50 to 60 or older. The findings provide insights into the health and living conditions of the nuns. Conclusion: This study sheds light on these women’s living conditions and health status in the 18th century. The findings contribute to understanding the unique social and gender dynamics within female monasteries and their impact on the physical well-being of the individuals. This research expands our knowledge of the history of female monasticism in Piedmont and emphasizes the importance of studying small elite groups to comprehensively understand historical society.