Burial customs and cultural change. A case study from Central Germany during the transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age

This paper presents the osteological, taphonomic, and archaeological analysis of a cremation grave from Markranstädt in northwestern Saxony – a region situated at the intersection of three cultural traditions during the final phase of the Late Bronze Age and the older phase of the Early Iron Age. Although the burial lacked distinctive grave goods, typochronological multivariate statistics provided a chronological and cultural framework for interpretation. Osteological analysis identified the deceased as an adult aged 30-40 years, exhibiting a notably tall stature and no pathological alterations in the skeletal remains. Taphonomic evidence reveals a deliberate and structured arrangement of the cremated bones within the urn, including the vertical, antithetical positioning of lower limb epiphyses and the horizontal placement of upper limb elements. These findings enhance our understanding of funerary practices in the region, highlighting the ritual complexity of cremation burials during this period of cultural transition

Bioarchaeology · Bronze Age · Grave goods · Iron Age · Osteology · Period (music) · Taphonomy · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Paleopathology and ancient diseases

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