Prehistoric Mortuary Research Articles

A Light in Dark Places: Later Prehistoric Mortuary Activity in Caves in Scotland and Northern England

A Light in Dark Places: Later Prehistoric Mortuary Activity in Caves in Scotland and Northern England

Hemorrhagic fever virus, human blood, and tissues in Iron Age mortuary vessels

This study identifies and interprets the proteins present on sherds from six ceramic mortuary vessels from a burial mound near the Heuneburg, an early Iron Age (750–400 BCE) hillfort in southwest Germany, using a novel adaptation of proteomic analysis that identified 166 proteins with high confidence. Surprisingly, among the identified proteins were peptides from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), a pathogen previously unknown in this geographic region and time period, as well as peptides from human blood and tissues. These results highlight the first example of a viral cause of death of at least one high-status individual from the Iron Age west-central Europe and provide the first archaeological evidence for the interment of human organs in mortuary vessels in the region. We also demonstrate the suitability and value of a proteomics approach for discovery-based residue analysis of archaeological ceramic vessels and reveal how identification of adsorbed proteins can provide insight into prehistoric mortuary practices.

Excavation on Nimowa Island, Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea: Insights Into Cultural Practices and the Development of Exchange Networks in the Southern Massim Region

ABSTRACTSmall-scale excavation was undertaken at the Malakai site on the small island of Nimowa, located in the Louisiade Archipelago, Massim region, Papua New Guinea. This is the first excavation to be reported in detail from the archipelago, with the Malakai site providing insight into cultural practices on the island and pottery exchange in the southern Massim region. A stratified deposit was revealed with dense cultural material, first inhabited from 1350 to 1290 cal. BP, with a subsequent period of settlement within the last 460–300 cal. years. Pottery, shell, and stone artifacts were recovered, as well as human skeletal remains in a primary burial context, which contributes to understanding regional patterns of prehistoric mortuary activity. It is argued that Nimowa was already part of an exchange network that encompassed many of the southern Massim islands when the Malakai site was first occupied. There is increased diversity in the number of vessel forms in later prehistory, but with remarkable continuity in the decorative motifs over time, suggesting some degree of regional social cohesion in the southern Massim. It appears that the northern Massim islands were not a major supplier of pottery to Nimowa. The implications for the prehistory of the wider region are subsequently discussed.

Dying Embers: Fire-lighting Technology and Mortuary Practice in Early Bronze Age Britain

In me thou see’st the glowing of such fireThat on the ashes of his youth doth lie,As the death-bed whereon it must expireConsum’d with that which it was nourish’d by.Shakespeare, Sonnet 73We examine the known examples of strike-a-light kits within prehistoric mortuary contexts in mainland Britain. Building on the seminal work of Clarke in the 1970s, and Needham’s recent work on Beaker grave groups, many further examples of this burial practice are documented from both historic and recent excavations. It is evident that strike-a-light kits have a considerable longevity in prehistoric mortuary practice, with all but one dating to between c. 2500 cal. BC and c. 1500 cal. BC. Our analysis presents new radiocarbon dates and data from stable isotope studies of human remains that indicate the practice reached a peak between c. 2200 and c. 2000 cal. BC. Strike-a-light kits appear to be associated both with individuals born local to their burial place, as well as those born at a considerable geographical distance. It is argued that strike-a-light kits had a particular significance in the burial of adult males, and that kits were symbolic inclusions rather than being linked to the practice of fire-lighting during the men’s life-time in this period.

Prehistoric Mortuary Practices and the Constitution of Social Relationships: Implications of the First Radiocarbon Dates from Maski on the Occupational History of a South India “Type Site”

In 1954, B K Thapar excavated the multicomponent site of Maski (Raichur District, Karnataka) to establish an archaeological sequence for the southern Deccan region of India. Thapar identified four major periods of occupation, now known as the Neolithic (3000–1200 BC), Iron Age (1200–300 BC), Early Historic (300 BC to AD 500), and the Medieval periods (AD 500–1600). Renewed research at the site by the Maski Archaeological Research Project (F.1/8/2009-EE) has investigated the development of social differences and inequalities in south Indian prehistory. This article reports the first ever radiocarbon assays from habitation and megalithic burial contexts in the vicinity of Maski. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dates of charcoal sampled from exposed occupational strata on Maski's Durgada Gudda hill and subsequent Bayesian analyses indicate that the site was extensively occupied during the 14th century AD, corroborating interpretations of numismatic and inscriptional materials. Associated artifacts with these 14C samples have significant implications for recognizing late Medieval period ceramics and occupation in the region. AMS assays of four charcoal samples from exposed megalithic burials just south of the Durgada Gudda hill, similar to those recognized by Thapar, indicate that burial practices commonly attributed to the Iron Age predate the period, and thus are not precise chronological markers. However, the results also suggest that megalithic burial practices became more labor intensive during the Iron Age, creating a cultural context for the generation of new forms of social affiliations and distinctions through differential participation in the production of commemorative places.

Late Prehistoric Mortuary Features in the Greater Illinois Area: A Discussion of Form, Function, and Ritual Use

AbstractNumerous Late Prehistoric nonburial mortuary features have been identified in the greater Illinois region. Often, and sometimes uncritically, these features have been referred to as “charnel houses” in the literature. To date, there has been no attempt to tie all of the information on these features together. This study critically examines the features’ attributes and provides possible explanations of how they were used in the context of mortuary ritual. Two major types of features have been identified. The first is an above-ground feature consisting of a scaffold or small structure supported by posts. The entire feature is surrounded by a lightly built wall or fence. The close association of secondary human remains with these features suggests that they were used to expose, store, or display them. The second type is an enclosed area or a lightly built structure constructed directly on the ground. Examples from the American Bottom differ from those noted elsewhere. In some instances, the two featu...

The Social, Spatial, and Bioarchaeological Histories of Ancient Oman project: the mortuary landscape of Dhank

The Social, Spatial, and Bioarchaeological Histories of Ancient Oman (SoBO) project has conducted three seasons of survey and excavation in north-western Oman. Focus- ing on third-millennium BC archaeological features, this project is unique because of the combination of geospatial survey and bioarchaeological excavation of mortuary monuments in and around the town of Dhank. Here we report our initial findings, define our survey area and techniques and discuss excavated funerary structures and associated radiocarbon dates from both charcoal and human skeletal remains. This report presents preliminary results that introduce this new project on the prehistoric mortuary landscapes of Oman and highlight the techniques the SoBO team employs to examine Bronze Age communities in this rural location.

Diversity in Prehistoric Burials and Cemeteries in the Western Yuman Region

Emerging evidence concerning prehistoric mortuary practices within the Western Yuman region of southern California and northern Baja California attests to patterns of change through time as well as to diversity across other dimensions. Several aspects of such practices — the prevalent cultural attitudes toward the dead, the various methods of disposition for human remains, the materials that were deposited together with burials, and the locations where mortuary practices occurred — all offer potentially important insights into regional prehistory that need to be considered by archaeologists.

2 The Social Life of Tombs in West Sumba, Indonesia

ABSTRACTEthnoarchaeological examination of the contemporary practice of erecting stone tombs within residential compounds in West Sumba, Indonesia provides important insights into active social processes that can be associated with residential burials. Residential tombs in West Sumba reach megalithic proportions and convey not only links to past ancestors but also social dynamics associated with power negotiation, achievement, and the continuity of living groups. This study of residential burial and tomb‐building in West Sumba reveals actively changing and multifaceted social meanings linked to tombs as well as commonalities shared by both residential and monumental burials with intriguing implications for prehistoric mortuary practices.

Some Notes on prehistoric Mortuary Sites from the American Illinois

Some Notes on prehistoric Mortuary Sites from the American Illinois

‘Writing’ in Space: An Interpretation of Prehistoric Mortuary Practices in The Central Ganga Valley

‘Writing’ in Space: An Interpretation of Prehistoric Mortuary Practices in The Central Ganga Valley

The geomorphology of Sugar Loaf Mound: Prehistoric cemeteries and the formation of loess cones in the lower Wabash Valley

Burial mounds found on bluff crests in the Midwest United States overlap in scale with conical shaped Peoria Loess hills along the valley margins of the lower Wabash River. Coring of Sugar Loaf Mound, a feature thought to be an artificial mound for some 200 years, indicates that it is a 9 m eolian feature that contains prehistoric human remains. Analysis indicates that a sharp-edged till ridge resulted in a zone of eolian sand and silt accumulation forming both a climbing and a perched dune. A streamline body resulted. Grain-size analysis indicates a bimodal population, suggesting a dust suspension from an outwash source and a local saltation sand source, with a time transgressive shift in dominance. Three other loess cones of comparable scale, shape, lithostratigraphy, and landscape position that were also used as late prehistoric cemeteries indicate a similar pattern of both formation and prehistoric mortuary use in the lower Wabash valley. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The geomorphology of Sugar Loaf Mound: Prehistoric cemeteries and the formation of loess cones in the lower Wabash Valley

Burial mounds found on bluff crests in the Midwest United States overlap in scale with conical shaped Peoria Loess hills along the valley margins of the lower Wabash River. Coring of Sugar Loaf Mound, a feature thought to be an artificial mound for some 200 years, indicates that it is a 9 m eolian feature that contains prehistoric human remains. Analysis indicates that a sharp-edged till ridge resulted in a zone of eolian sand and silt accumulation forming both a climbing and a perched dune. A streamline body resulted. Grain-size analysis indicates a bimodal population, suggesting a dust suspension from an outwash source and a local saltation sand source, with a time transgressive shift in dominance. Three other loess cones of comparable scale, shape, lithostratigraphy, and landscape position that were also used as late prehistoric cemeteries indicate a similar pattern of both formation and prehistoric mortuary use in the lower Wabash valley. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

A Return to the Question of Cannibalism

ABSTRACTAn overemphasis on taphonomy in the study of human remains has resulted in a failure to consider the effects of culture. Predetermined conclusions of cannibalism are the result. The problem is compounded by the lack of an established and standardized methodology for the recording and interpretation of trauma on human bone, as well as incomplete knowledge of the full range and extent of prehistoric mortuary practices within the American Southwest. The proposed solution includes considering human remains as a separate category of artifacts, and systematically applying taphonomic studies in combination with other analytical methods.

Mortuary Behavior and Social Organization at Indian Knoll and Dickson Mounds

Two prehistoric mortuary sites, one from the Archaic and one from the Mississippian period, are compared with regard to the importance of age and sex as status-bearing variables. Statements about social organization in the two societies are examined using mortuary data, specifically, grave-good inclusions with burials. Cluster analyses at Indian Knoll in Kentucky and Dickson Mounds in Illinois show significant differences in cluster formation which can be interpreted in social organizational terms. These interpretations pertain both to the importance of age and sex and to wider principles of organization. Indian Knoll is found to be less egalitarian in organization than expected; Dickson Mounds, less hierarchical than expected.

Review: Archaeological Approaches to Population Inference - Hopewell in the Lower Illinois Valley: A Regional Study of Human Biological and Prehistoric Mortuary Behavior. Jane Buikstra. Northwestern Archeological Program Scientific Papers, Vol. 2, Northwestern University Press, Evanston, 1976. xi + 90 pp., illus. - The Middle Woodland Population of the Lower Illinois Valley: A Study in Paleodemographic Methods. David Asch. Northwestern

Review: Archaeological Approaches to Population Inference - Hopewell in the Lower Illinois Valley: A Regional Study of Human Biological and Prehistoric Mortuary Behavior. Jane Buikstra. Northwestern Archeological Program Scientific Papers, Vol. 2, Northwestern University Press, Evanston, 1976. xi + 90 pp., illus. - The Middle Woodland Population of the Lower Illinois Valley: A Study in Paleodemographic Methods. David Asch. Northwestern Archeological Program Scientific Papers, Vol. 1, Northwestern University Press, Evanston, 1976. xi + 99 pp., illus. - The Food Crisis in Prehistory: Overpopulation and the Origins of Agriculture. Mark Nathan Cohen. Yale University Press, New Haven, 1977. x + 341 pp. $15.00. - Volume 43 Issue 4