Taphonomy of Burnt Burials

Spatial Analysis of Bone Fragments in Their Secondary Deposition

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4637290
AutoresA Pankowská (0000-0003-1921-5485, Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts; University of West Bohemia; Plzeň Czech Republic, autor correspondente), P Spěváčková (Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts; University of West Bohemia; Plzeň Czech Republic), Petra Uhlík Spěváčková (0000-0003-2954-1882, Charles University), H Kašparová (Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts; University of West Bohemia; Plzeň Czech Republic), J Šneberger (0000-0001-7154-4716, Department of Genetics and Microbiology; Charles University; Praha Czech Republic)
Ano2017
Volume27
Fascículo2
Páginas143-154
Data de publicação2017-03-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.2525
OpenAlexW2296788893
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas7
Referências citadas23

Examining recently excavated burnt burials, we explore the potential of spatial analysis to contribute to the understanding of changes that human body goes through during burning and relocation to the place of secondary deposition. Artificial heat decomposition of a body is a complex process that consists of several stages of intentional manipulation with the body. Each stage can be biased by several accidental factors which then significantly change the final archaeological record. We focussed on the post-burning stage, especially the pathways of bone fragments to secondary deposition. We investigated spatial distribution and weight of bones in urns and pits and asked whether it is possible to observe their intentional arrangement. The trend of bone arrangement could be distinguished in most cases. Bones of peripheral parts of body were typically situated at the bottom; skull bones were usually concentrated in the upper part. However, the weight underrepresentation of all investigated burials was apparent. Deposition of selected burnt bones suggests their careful collection from the pyre and complex post-mortem manipulation. Our detailed analysis aims to reconstruct particular steps executed during funeral rites of past populations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Archaeology · Geography · Paleopathology · Taphonomy · Zooarchaeology · 3D Shape Modeling and Analysis · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Geology · Paleontology