Project Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 4-2025

Department or Program

Classics, Philosophy, and Religion

College

College of Arts & Sciences

Faculty Mentor #1

Dr. Jennifer Barry

Abstract

This study examines the theological principles reflected in the burial practices of El Corral de los Condes, a thirteenth-century cemetery associated with the Knights of Calatrava at Zorita de los Canes, Spain. Founded during the Crusades, the Knights combined monastic vows with military service, emphasizing poverty, chastity, and obedience. Archaeological evidence from El Corral de los Condes reveals burials devoid of grave goods, consistent with Christian ideals of renouncing earthly possessions at death, as exemplified in Athanasius’ Life of Antony. The orientation of burials along an East/West axis, with heads facing east, aligns with early Christian eschatology, symbolizing the expectation of resurrection facing Christ. Spatial analysis within the cemetery shows that individuals interred closest to the Church of San Benito, many exhibiting signs of pre-mortem trauma, likely died valorously and were honored with proximity to sacred space. This practice reflects theological beliefs surrounding martyrdom, divine reward, and the Cult of the Saints, which emphasized the sanctity of the flesh and the spiritual advantage of burial near holy sites. By integrating archaeological findings with theological texts, this poster highlights how Christian ideals of death, resurrection, and sanctity manifested materially within a medieval military-religious order. Through burial practices, the Knights of Calatrava expressed their commitment to core Christian doctrines and the hope for eternal life, offering a rich case study in the intersection of theology, ritual, and material culture in medieval Iberia.

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