Prospects of research on cremated human remains: correlation of metal traces on cremations with funeral rituals and burial customs.

Abstract

Grave goods are one of the most important parts of the funeral setting. The set of grave goods, their typology, the features of making and location in the tomb are dictated by the number of common funerary rituals and customs, and, for example, give information about the ethnic and cultural traditions of the population, the social status of the deceased, or economic contacts. They include pottery, jewelry, costume elements, weapons and other objects. On the funeral pyre, grave goods could be placed directly on top of the body, near it (in the contact zone of the body) or be burned separately. For example, the remains of burned metal and glass objects such as costume details (fibulae, buckles and other metal parts of belts), weapons (placed beside the body or at the feet of the deceased), jewelry (earrings, bracelets) are often observed on the fragmented cremated skeletal remains. An anatomical observation of the bones which show such traces of burned metal sometimes allows determination of their origin (in some cases the type of item which left it), to obtain information about the location of the grave goods during cremation and some additional details of the funeral rites, as well as the tradition of fashion or weapons. Traces of burned metal or glass items often occur on the fragmented skeletal remains of cremated individuals. Unfortunately, this information is often not recorded in the framework of bioarchaeological research and has only a sketchy character. Most burials from the La Tène and the Roman Imperial periods contain cremations. However, it is difficult to answer the question of the role of grave goods in funeral rites and to reveal the traditions behind the wearing of the clothes, jewelry and weapons. In such cases the cremations are the only source available for the study. Against the background of the investigated late La Tène and early Roman Imperial warrior cremation burial ground of Mutin (Ukraine), a correlation analysis was performed, demonstrating the main possibilities to be followed.