Atypical burials of the late medieval/early modern Greater Poland

To explore the importance of atypical burial practices in medieval and early modern Poland, an interdisciplinary study was conducted on three Polish cemeteries (Dzwonowo, Skoki, and Wagrowiec) dating to the 14th-18th centuries. Thirteen individuals from 11 graves were examined using archaeological evidence, analysis of paleopathological changes and nonmetric traits, as well as ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis. This study aimed to determine the underlying reasons behind the atypical nature of the burials (i.e., whether the individuals were outsiders, outcasts, relatives, or victims of infectious disease), and shed light on the complex interplay between health, social status, and community perception in medieval and early modern Poland.