Plants Placed in Coffins in the Eighteenth-Century Poland: Symbolic and Practical Functions of Plants in Funerary Culture (Selected Archaeological Sources)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the role of beliefs in shaping Sarmatian Poland’s funerary culture by analyzing archaeological material recovered from early modern crypt burials. Particular attention is devoted to organic remains, specifically plant remains found in the stuffing of coffin pillows. The study presents selected plant species and discusses both their practical functions and symbolic meanings, many of which may be traced back to pagan traditions. The archaeological material analyzed in this study originates from churches in Końskowola and Przemyśl. The plant remains were excavated from burials belonging to members of elite social groups, including representatives of the clergy. By examining both the practical properties of the identified plant species and their potential symbolic significance in male and female burials, the article seeks to demonstrate the relationship between the system of beliefs and their tangible influence on funerary practices. An analysis of the symbolic significance of the identified plant species was conducted with reference to their physicochemical properties, folk beliefs, herbal medicine, traditional healing practices, and Christian religious customs. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a broader understanding of the role of plants in shaping funerary rituals and attitudes toward death in eighteenth-century Poland.