dead bodies.

[theterminator]

what does jewish law in antiquity say about identifying dead bodies after a few days?

[Mental flatliner]

what does jewish law in antiquity say about identifying dead bodies after a few days?

Nothing.

Jewish law existed in two forms:
1--Moses' written law
2--Moses' oral law (not written, and hence not preserved)

You may be able to find some discussions in the Talmud about the handling of bodies for various reasons, but they're not going to give you any concept of customs in antiquity.

I would guess that bodies were identified by legal documents (families could prove ownership of a tomb and had to be trusted to know the positions of bodies). If bodies had already passed through second burial, no more telling them from other remains mixed in.

[andrewcriddle]

what does jewish law in antiquity say about identifying dead bodies after a few days?

Mishnah Yebamot chapter 16

§ 3. The testimony of a witness [as to the identity of an alleged deceased married man], is only then valid, when he testifies that he recognised the physiognomy with the nose of the deceased, although the witness mentioned other particular signs in the person or dress [of the deceased]. Testimony can only be received of one who had seen the deceased after he had actually given up the ghost, and is not admissible when the witness only saw him mortally wounded, or hanging, or that he was being devoured by a wild animal. The identity of the person can only be vouched for, when the witness saw him within three days after his decease, but R. Jehudah ben Baba observes, "This is not the same for all people, places, or seasons.

Andrew Criddle