Funerary Practices as a Testimony of Ideology in Western Linearbandkeramik Culture

Anne Augereau

doi:10.1515/opar-2020-0184

Abstract

Abstract The Linearbandkeramik (LBK) is behind the spread of the Neolithic way of life in a large part of Western Europe. This period is often regarded as the beginning of social inequalities whose ideological frameworks deserve to be highlighted. According to social anthropologists, funerary practices are relevant for this debate as they reflect the symbolic thought in relation to death. In addition, as they are perpetuated by the living, funerary practices are pertinent in addressing the ideological values, symbolic systems, and thoughts that support social organisation. Whilst examining how grave goods are allocated amongst the LBK population, we have identified a small group of dominant men characterised by a specific burial kit (adzes, arrows, lighter set, and red deer antlers), a richer protein intake in diet, and their local origin. Comparing them to other social categories characterised by minor marking of identity in grave goods, poorer protein intake in diet, and of diverse origin, we aim to explore the ideological frameworks and values sustaining the social LBK system. LBK dominant ideology appears to revolve around hunting and exploits in warfare, manhood, and virility, in short around violent behaviours perhaps linked to a territorial competition.

Highlights

The Linearbandkeramik (LBK) is responsible for the spread of the Neolithic way of life in a large part of Western Europe
As gender is a social construct defining the social roles performed by material manifestations, it can be perceived within archaeological data and their variability between groups of individuals: dress and ornaments, sexual division of labour, health and diet, origins, and so on. By examining these aspects in the LBK population, we have been able to identify a small group of dominant men, and other various social categories characterised by farmland access, poorer protein intake in diet, diverse origin, and Special Issue: THE EARLY NEOLITHIC OF EUROPE, edited by F
Funerary practices are relevant in this debate as they reflect the symbolic thought towards death. As they are perpetuated by the living, funerary practices are pertinent in addressing the ideological values, symbolic systems, and thoughts that support social organisation

Summary

Introduction

The Linearbandkeramik (LBK) is responsible for the spread of the Neolithic way of life in a large part of Western Europe. The gender analysis concerns funerary data representing about 3,000 LBK individuals from cemeteries, isolated burials, or small groups of graves (Figure 1). These sites are located from the Carpathian Basin to the Paris Basin. Men with adzes seem to have certain privileges such as a richer nutrition and a stable residence; they have a central place in death, probably linked to a central role in life They seem to constitute a dominant social group with a specific funerary kit containing adzes, deer antler, arrows, percussion set lighters, and regular blades, which do not exist in other groups, especially among women. What does these funerary data tell us about LBK values? In particular, what is the significance of the presence of adzes, arrows, blades, deer antler objects, and set lighters in male burials?

Men Values

Male Light and Heat?

Findings

Conclusion