title: [Embalming: ritual and symbol of power in the West].
abstract: Western embalming follows two main goals: a practical function of post-mortem body conservation at least the long time necessary for the organization of a funeral ceremony. But also a theological function with the transformation of the dead body into a good smelling corpse that will be received in Paradise during the "apotheosis". Several forensic anthropological and osteo-archaeological recent studies have enlightened the complexity of such practices. We present here the main results of such studies carried out by our research team.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Charlier
mesh_terms: D004615:Embalming / Q000266:history*; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D019366:Western World / Q000266:history