Cremation Practices and the Creation of Monument Complexes: The Neolithic Cremation Cemetery at Forteviot, Strathearn, Perth &amp; Kinross, Scotland, and its comparanda

Gordon Noble,Alison Sheridan,Kenneth Brophy,Derek Hamilton,Stephany Leach

doi:10.1017/ppr.2017.11

Abstract

Around the beginning of the 3rd millennium cal bc a cremation cemetery was established at Forteviot, central Scotland. This place went on to become one of the largest monument complexes identified in Mainland Scotland, with the construction of a palisaded enclosure, timber structures, and a series of henge monuments and other enclosures. The cemetery was established between 3080 and 2900 cal bc, probably in the 30th century cal bc, which is contemporary with the cremation cemetery at Stonehenge. Nine discrete deposits of cremated bone, representing the remains of at least 18 people, were identified. In most instances they were placed within cut features and, in one case, a series of cremation deposits was associated with a broken standing stone. This paper includes the first detailed assessment of the cremated remains at Forteviot and the features associated with the cemetery, and explores how the establishment of this cemetery may have been both a catalyst and inspiration for the elaborate monument building and prolonged acts of remembrance that occurred at this location over a period of almost 1000 years. The paper also outlines the parallels for Forteviot across Britain and, for the first time, draws together the dating evidence (including Bayesian modelling) for this major category of evidence for considering the nature of late 4th/early 3rd millennium cal bc society. The results and discussion have wide implications and resonances for contemplating the establishment and evolution of monument complexes in prehistoric Britain and beyond.

Highlights

INTRODUCTIONIn 2009, a late 4th/early 3rd millennium cal BC cremation cemetery (ie, a cemetery featuring multiple deposits of cremated human remains) was discovered at Forteviot, Perth & Kinross, central Scotland, during excavations
In 2009, a late 4th/early 3rd millennium cal BC cremation cemetery was discovered at Forteviot, Perth & Kinross, central Scotland, during excavations within a prehistoric monument complex that was first identified by aerial reconnaissance in the 1970s (Fig. 1; St Joseph 1976)
In this paper we suggest that the cremation cemetery was of considerable importance to the emergence and development of the Forteviot monument complex, marking the establishment of a locale which held special social and religious meaning for well over 1000 years – a place that would retain significance into the historic period when Forteviot became a royal centre (Driscoll 1998)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

In 2009, a late 4th/early 3rd millennium cal BC cremation cemetery (ie, a cemetery featuring multiple deposits of cremated human remains) was discovered at Forteviot, Perth & Kinross, central Scotland, during excavations. In smaller quantities, were found outwith secure contexts and are likely to be the remains of further cremation deposits that were disturbed by later activity as well as modern ploughing This means that the true extent of the cremation cemetery, and any truncation that may have impacted on it, are unknown, and no obvious boundary such as a ditch was identified. 84 Pale grey–white, range of fractures MNI 4: 2 adults – 1 robust, 1 Bone pin frags Burial indicative of fleshed cremation, gracile; 2 children – 1 older little evidence of erosion, child, 1 younger child; dentition & small elements developmental stress in child’s indicate meticulous collection for dentition, possible perimortem deposition trauma on adult cranium

34 White – fissures and most

Findings

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION