Human Skeletons, Grave Goods and Textual Sources: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Southwestern Switzerland’s Late Iron Age Communities through the Study of their Funerary Rites

Tobias Hofstetter,Marie Besse,François Mariéthoz,Jocelyne Desideri

doi:10.1515/pz-2021-2021

Tobias Hofstetter, Marie Besse + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1515/pz-2021-2021

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Abstract

Abstract This paper’s primary focus is the investigation of Late Iron Age funeral practices. This is carried out by means of a multidisciplinary study of two necropolises, Randogne – Bluche and Sion – Parking des Remparts, which are located in southwestern Switzerland. The overall purpose of this paper is to enhance the socio-cultural understanding of this period through an integrated approach that combines the fields of bioanthropology, archaeology and ancient cultural history. Consequently, sex, age, pathologies and biological proximity first were assessed for the individuals found in the two studied necropolises. Next, data from these necropolises was contrasted with the archaeological and cultural environment from the surrounding regions. Finally, a combined perspective was developed in order to consider and combine the data collected through these different approaches. The obtained results appear to point to a regional particularism present in southwestern Switzerland’s funerary practices during the Late Iron Age. However, cultural influences from both northern and southern neighbouring regions can be identified in southwestern Switzerland’s funerary rites and material productions, which sheds light on the innerworkings of the Celtic communities populating this region.

Highlights

Introduction and AimsThe study of two recently discovered necro polises as a pretext for a multi disciplinary reassessment of south western Switzerland’s Late Iron Age communities through the study of their funerary ritesThe following paper presents the results of a bioanthropological study and an analysis of funerary rites observed within two Late Iron Age[1] necropolises in the mountainous Valais region, situated in southwestern Switzerland
We wish to reflect on the implications of further research into the previously discussed understanding of Late Iron Age society as seen through funerary rites in Southwestern Switzerland, as well as the broader chronological and geographical perspective
Our data point to the existence of local specificities of funerary rites in southwestern Switzerland

Summary

Introduction

The following paper presents the results of a bioanthropological study and an analysis of funerary rites observed within two Late Iron Age[1] necropolises in the mountainous Valais region, situated in southwestern Switzerland. It compares the archaeological insight acquired with written accounts produced during Antiquity, in order to deepen our understanding of the functioning and organisation of Late Iron Age communities living in Valais. The production of metal and its trade led to continental mobility and dynamism previously unrivalled in the history of humankind[6] This period is well understood on a global level, there are still many points that need to be examined more closely, in particular, at a regional level and considering smaller chronological intervals.

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