THE OSSUARY

Ossuaries are containers for storing skeletal remains. They can range from small boxes for individual remains to entire structures, such as the Paris catacombs. Many cities in medieval and early-modern Europe struggled to find space for new graves. Sometimes the bones from old graves would be removed and placed in ossuaries, making space for new graves. Some large ossuaries have elaborate decorations made of bones, such as garlands and mosaics.

There are many examples of ossuaries in medieval art, especially in my favourite subject for art, The Dance of Death, which depicts the dead dancing and playing music while leading people to their graves. Kings, peasants, young, and old all participated in the dance as a reminder that death can come to anyone and at any time. This site has a ton of examples of various dances of death from many periods.

Skeletons getting up from their graves and greating eachother.

Oh look! Here are some skellies getting up to have a dance now! Not to worry, they're not interested in claiming souls at the moment, just enjoying a nice tune.

Winged skeleton waving a scythe while sitting on top a pile of skulls.
Skeleton playing lute Skeleton dancing with snake in a hellmouth Skeleton playing bagpipes and dancing
Skeleton jumping in front of a frightened woman Skeleton playing a zither while holding on to an annoyed man
Skeleton dancing Two skeletons waving a banner with three skulls and crossbones Singing skeleton holding a large spear
Skeleton playing horn to frightened crowd Skeleton playing violin
Skeleton playing a portative organ, a minature pipe organ that can be carried. Three skeletons dancing in graves Skeleton playing drums
Green skeleton sitting and playing the lute Three dancing skeletons
Creature with two legs and long neck bent between it's legs. It's head is a skull. Skeleton wand Armless skeletal creature tapping his foot.