Cremation Graves Research Articles

Cimitirul din Epoca Bronzului de la Cârlomǎneşti – La Arman. Campaniile 2003–2007 / The Bronze Age Cemetery from Cârlomǎneşti – La Arman (Fouilles 2003–2007)

Cimitirul din Epoca Bronzului de la Cârlomǎneşti – La Arman. Campaniile 2003–2007 / The Bronze Age Cemetery from Cârlomǎneşti – La Arman (Fouilles 2003–2007)

Rosetfiblens »anatomi«

Rosetfiblens »anatomi«

Bronzealderens keramik – En kilde til forståelse af kommunikation og social interaktion i bronzealderen

Bronzealderens keramik – En kilde til forståelse af kommunikation og social interaktion i bronzealderen

Slavenski paljevinski grob iz Lobora

Pri arheološkim istraživanjima na lokalitetu Lobor, Majka Božja Gorska, provedenim 2009. godine, na prostoru na kojem se nalaze ostatci drvene crkve iz 9. stoljeća, otkrivena je posuda s ostatcima spaljenog pokojnika. Posuda je nađena u jami od stupa drvene crkve, kamo je najvjerojatnije upala pri njezinu podizanju. Grobovi s ostatcima spaljenih pokojnika nisu nađeni na lokalitetu, jer je taj prostor korišten kao mjesto ukapanja kroz više stoljeća. U članku će biti prikazani rezultati najnovijih arheoloških istraživanja, a posebno će se analizirati urna kao jedan od dokaza dugog i neprekinutog kontinuiteta pokapanja na tome mjestu.

A Viking Boat Grave with Amber Gaming Pieces Excavated at Skamby, Östergötland, Sweden

In the Summer of 2005 the authors directed the excavation of a flat stone setting with a boat-shaped central depression at Skamby, Kuddby parish, Östergötland, Sweden. The stone setting covered a small and poorly preserved boat inhumation, dated by the artefacts recovered to the early Viking period (9th century AD). This is the first excavation of a boat inhumation in the province of Östergötland. The paper reports on the excavations including the discovery of an exceptional collection of 23 amber gaming pieces, which provide a new perspective on Viking-period gaming. The data from this boat grave are considered in relation to the rest of the Skamby cemetery, which remains to be investigated. Judging from a topographical survey of the ridge surrounding the excavated area, and from metal-detector finds recovered from the surrounding fields, the Skamby cemetery appears to be a high-status burial ground divided into two zones, one comprised of boat inhumation graves, the other of circular stone settings likely to cover cremation graves. The results of the excavation lead to a revised picture of boat burial as an élite mortuary rite in southern Sweden during the late 1st millennium AD.

Detektorfund og bebyggelse – Det østlige Limfjordsområde i yngre jernalder og vikingetid

Detektorfund og bebyggelse – Det østlige Limfjordsområde i yngre jernalder og vikingetid

Kogegruber – i klynger eller på rad og række

Kogegruber – i klynger eller på rad og række

Fornemt skrin – i en kvindegrav fra vikingetid

Fornemt skrin – i en kvindegrav fra vikingetid

Monumentale skibssætninger i Danmark og Skåne

Monumental Ship-Settings in Denmark and ScaniaThis paper, based on the author’s thesis, evolved from an attempt to determine the age, function, background and symbolism of seemingly grave-less monumental ship-settings – i.e. ship-settings with a length of at least 40 metres and constructed from large standing stones. The monumental ship-settings examined in this paper are (or were) located at Vejerslev, Jelling, Bække, Glavendrup, Lejre and Trygge­vælde in present-day Denmark and at Södra Ugglarp, Kåseberga, Torup, Färlöv and Ljungarum in present–day Scania (figs. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9).The archaeological evidence and scientific dates suggest that monumental ship-settings in Denmark were erected in the period leading up to the conversion to Christianity – approximately AD 900-970. The corresponding sites in Scania could very well be contemporary but some may be slightly older, and some may even date back to the Bronze Age. This uncertainty is due to the fact that the Scanian examples can only be dated typologically or by radiocarbon . Both methods are fairly inaccurate.Most of the smaller ship-settings contain graves, predominantly cremation graves, whereas the monumental ship-­settings often to not contain graves and gravegoods. Based on the lack of grave-­related finds in monumental ship-settings, this paper reaches the conclusion that it is not possible to demonstrate that monumental ship-settings served as monu­mental tombs. However, several of the monumental ship-settings have been disturbed in numerous ways and a number of them could theoretically have contained graves which are no longer detectable. It is also possible that the monuments may originally have contained graves, which were later destroyed or removed by the ­deceased’s Christian descendants in connection with a new Christian burial of the deceased. However it is emphasized that, on the basis of the archaeological evidence, it can not be concluded that monumental ship-settings are monumental graves. Their great dimensions and the siting of monumental ship-settings on high ground and near main transport routes, indicate that these monuments were intended to be seen and admired. At Jelling and Lejre, the locations of known royal and cultic centres coincide with monumental ship-settings (the archaeological and topographical ­observations made in this article are shown in figure 5). This situation, and the occasional direct connection with rune-stones mentioning kings, warriors and heathen priests, seems to link monumental ship-settings to an upper class or social elite who were probably also responsible for leading the cult. It is therefore con­cluded that monumental ship-settings were probably erected by an aristocracy or social elite. The monuments often contain postholes, fireplaces and burnt animal bones and it is suggested that they functioned as a cultic site associated with a pre-Christian Norse fertility cult.The seemingly grave-less monumental ship-settings have, on several occasions, been interpreted as cenotaphs – i.e. commemorative monuments constructed in remembrance of a deceased person but without a grave. As no definite graves have been found in monumental ship-settings (except from at Lejre) this theory is plaus­ible even though it seems a little too “­simple”. Commemorative rune-stones (fig. 3 and 8), associated with some of the Danish monumental ship-settings, can be seen as lending support to the cenotaph theory. It cannot therefore be entirely refuted and it seems probable that monumental ship-settings served, in part, as cenotaphs and commemorative monuments in remembrance of a master builder and his family.As these monuments were erected in the period leading up to southern Scandinavia becoming Christian, it is suggested that they should be understood as a means of securing and underlining a sense of heathen Norse identity at a time of political and religious change. It is stressed that the ship as a symbol can be perceived as the ship Skiðblaðnir and, accordingly, an ­attribute of the fertility god Freyr. The ship symbolism could very well be seen as a means of demonstrating opposition to the Christian cross and Christianity. Some of the monumental ship-settings include stones decorated with cup marks – allegedly Bronze Age holy symbols – and some are physically linked to Bronze Age barrows. This obvious reuse can be seen as an attempt to stress links with the past in a sort of heathen renaissance shortly before or during the process of conversion to Christianity.Finally it is suggested that the ship symbol, in the form of a monumental ship-­setting, could also have been used by a master builder as a means of claiming royal and divine descent and thus underlining his legitimacy as a ruler and leader of the cult – assuming that the ship symbol is interpreted as the mark of Freyr or Odin.Felix VestergaardHorsens Museum

The Roman cemeteries of Tienen and Tongeren: results from the archaeobotanical analysis of the cremation graves

Up to now there has been little archaeobotanical research on Gallo-Roman graveyards in Belgium. This paper presents the preliminary results of the investigation of the cremation graves of the graveyards at Tienen and Tongeren, dated from the first up to the beginning of the fourth century a.d., and respectively located in the provinces of Vlaams-Brabant and Limburg. The structures studied mainly consisted of pits containing secondary deposits of pyre debris, but a few busta (where cremation took place in situ in or above a pit) could be analysed as well. The results presented here will focus on the most conspicuous finds. The only bustum grave excavated in Tongeren proved to be extremely rich in remains of Lens culinaris (lentil), Vicia faba var. minor (Celtic bean) with some Vicia ervilia (bitter or lentil vetch), concentrated in the presumed area of the head of the deceased. Some of the graves in Tienen, on the other hand, contained some less frequently found taxa, as for example Vitis vinifera (grape), Olea europaea (olive), Pyrus communis (pear), Prunus insititia and/or domestica (plums, in the broad sense) and Cornus sanguinea (dogwood). Most graves however, showed a typical assemblage consisting of mainly pulses and cereals, commonly found in cremation graves. In that respect a certain similarity between both graveyards could be noticed, which is also reflected in the anthropological study.

Offertradition og religion i ældre jernalder i Sydskandinavien – med særlig henblik på bebyggelsesofringer

Offertradition og religion i ældre jernalder i Sydskandinavien – med særlig henblik på bebyggelsesofringer

An approach to funerary rituals in the Roman provinces: plant remains from a Gallo-Roman cemetery at Faulquemont (Moselle, France)

Archaeobotanical studies of funerary offerings allow important insights into beliefs in the afterlife and rituals in the past. Although the number of such investigations has increased in recent years, there are still only a very few systematic investigations of Gallo-Roman cremation graves, especially in northern France. The archaeobotanical study presented here concerns the cemetery (necropolis) of Faulquemont, located in the Departement of Moselle. 70 cremation graves, dated from the 1st up to the beginning of the 3rd century A.D. have been sampled for the study of the botanical remains. The graveyard belongs to a rural site. The structures, mainly pits, contained secondary deposits of cremations, characterised by ashy fillings, broken archaeological burned material, bones and carbonised plant remains. 18 plant species have been identified including cereals, pulses, tubers and fruits plus bread/pastry. The most important ones were Triticum (hulled wheat), Hordeum (hulled barley), Lens (lentil) and Pisum (pea). There were also more “exotic” finds like Olea (olive), Phoenix (date) and Lupinus (lupin). The preservation of the cereals suggests possible cooking before cremation, or a long exposure to the fire. Some other plants like hazelnut and olive were maybe consumed as a component of funerary meals. In addition, there were also complete fruits burned as funerary offerings. Only the wealthy deceased received luxurious products such as date. Altogether, the spectrum of Faulquemont fits very well with the known picture of plant offerings during Gallo-Roman times.

Bronzealderens kulthuse i Thy – Anlæg med relation til gravkulten

Bronzealderens kulthuse i Thy – Anlæg med relation til gravkulten

En højgruppe ved Kvindvad, Vestjylland

En højgruppe ved Kvindvad, Vestjylland

Lustrupholm – Et brandgravfelt fra ældre bronzealder under flad mark

Lustrupholm – Et brandgravfelt fra ældre bronzealder under flad mark

Etre Relies Dans la Mort: Deux Exemples du Rituel Funeraire de L'Age du Fer de Padoue et D'Este

The comparative study of two Venetic cremation graves, both dating to the end of the sixth century BC, from Padova and Este, permits a clear understanding of stages in the mortuary ritual. The complexity of the archaeological record can be explained only through the definition of an equally complex mortuary system, including elements such as: the number of individuals in the grave, changes to the coffin or cinerary urn, the mixing of grave goods and cremated bones from several individuals inside the same urn, etc. The reconstructed flow chart results from a combination of a micro-stratigraphic analysis, careful restoration of finds, anthropological analysis of the human remains and experimental reconstructions. The aim of this work is to achieve a deeper understanding of funerary codes/practices in the complex societies iof the Iron Age in Italy.

To be reunited after death: two examples of Iron Age mortuary ritual from Padova and Este

Abstract The comparative study of two Venetie cremation graves, both dating to the end of the sixth century BC, from Padova and Este, permits a clear understanding of stages in the mortuary ritual. The complexity of the archaeological record can be explained only through the definition of an equally complex mortuary system, including elements such as: the number of individuals in the grave, changes to the coffin or cinerary urn, the mixing of grave goods and cremated bones from several individuals inside the same urn, etc. The reconstructed flow chart results from a combination of a micro-stratigraphic analysis, careful restoration of finds, anthropological analysis of the human remains and experimental reconstructions. The aim of this work is to achieve a deeper understanding of funerary codes/practices in the complex societies of the Iron Age in Italy.

Une tombe à incinération du IIe s. ap. J.-C. à Haussy (Nord).

A IInd Century A.D. Cremation Grave in Haussy (Nord). In 1991, during the digging of ditches along the 955 departmental road on the territory of Haussy, a farmer discovered a Gallo-Roman cremation grave. This pit dug in a field had been fitted out : a limestone slab was laid on the east side. The bone remains are placed in an urn and accompanied by 14 offerings among which a white pottery figure representing a Venus « sous édicule », a coin, a pair of fibulae, a bronze mirror and a washing set (vase and jug). This grave presents numerous analogies with similar ones found in southern Nervia and more specifically in Bavay. This grave can be dated to the second half of the IInd century.

Le cimetière protohistorique d'Abbeville "La Sole de Baillon" (Somme) : présentation liminaire des fouilles récentes de l'autoroute A16 Nord

ABSTRACT The recent excavations on the plateau of Saint-Riqier at Abbeville "La Sole de Bâillon", carried out as part of the archaeological campaign on the A16 North motorway, have resulted in the discovery of more than 80 cremation graves. A first survey of the archaeological material permits us to determine at least two major occupation phases for this cemetery, during La Tène C1 and La Tène C2/D1. The funerary practices revealed by this site have nothing special : they fit perfectly into ancient Belgium's cultural cast. However we must emphasize the great number graves found there, compared with ancient Belgium's other cemeteries excavated up to now, in which hardly more than a dozen cremation graves have been discovered. The "La Sole de Bâillon" cemetery therefore permits us to raise the issue of a new perception of territorial occupation in the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C. and to question the pattern currently presented, which makes a close connection between small cemeteries of an aristocratic nature and small farm-type dwellings.

Metallography of ancient bronzes: Study of pre-roman metal technology in the Iberian Peninsula

The metallographic examination of 26 bronze archaelogical objects is discussed together with the routine developed for this. The main aim was to define the bronze technology known by the Vaccei (a Celtiberian culture from Spain). All of the objects studied here come from cremation graves and their chronologies cover the last five centuries BC. The older objects have reflected great skill in forging, which compensated for casting problems. These casting problems decreased gradually, but were still important until the Roman conquest, when a real advance in casting techniques can be recorded. Since we were not authorized to cut or mount the objects in plastic, we had to hold them in our bare hands and polish only their outer surfaces, which caused many scratches and other marks. This report also illustrates some of the technical problems that might arise when studying archaeological materials.