Is it hot enough? A multi-proxy approach shows variations in cremation conditions during the Metal Ages in Belgium
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Is it hot enough? A multi-proxy approach shows variations in cremation conditions during the Metal Ages in Belgium. / Stamataki, Elisavet; Kontopoulos, Ioannis; Salesse, Kevin; McMillan, Rhy; Veselka, Barbara; Sabaux, Charlotte; Annaert, Rica; Boudin, Mathieu; Capuzzo, Giacomo; Claeys, Philippe; Dalle, Sarah; Hlad, Marta; Sengeløv, Amanda; Vercauteren, Martine; Warmenbol, Eugène; Tys, Dries; De Mulder, Guy; Snoeck, Christophe.
In: Journal of Archaeological Science, Vol. 136, 105509, 2021.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Is it hot enough? A multi-proxy approach shows variations in cremation conditions during the Metal Ages in Belgium
AU - Stamataki, Elisavet
AU - Kontopoulos, Ioannis
AU - Salesse, Kevin
AU - McMillan, Rhy
AU - Veselka, Barbara
AU - Sabaux, Charlotte
AU - Annaert, Rica
AU - Boudin, Mathieu
AU - Capuzzo, Giacomo
AU - Claeys, Philippe
AU - Dalle, Sarah
AU - Hlad, Marta
AU - Sengeløv, Amanda
AU - Vercauteren, Martine
AU - Warmenbol, Eugène
AU - Tys, Dries
AU - De Mulder, Guy
AU - Snoeck, Christophe
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Studies of funerary practices provide information about many aspects of death in past societies. However, only limited archaeological evidence documents the circumstances under which cremations occurred and the person(s) who were performing the funerary rituals. Lying at the border between Atlantic and Continental cultural traditions, the Scheldt and Meuse basins of Belgium represent a unique location to investigate variations in ancient pyre technology and body management, as well as the transfer of knowledge related to cremation techniques during the Metal Ages (ca. 2100-52 BCE). The combined use of Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, and carbon and oxygen isotope analysis of different skeletal elements from cremation deposits from four archaeological sites clearly shows differences between the Meuse and Scheldt basins. Different wood availability or selection, and variations in the skills and/or experience of the cremation operator may explain these results. These observed differences are likely linked to ways in which cremation was performed in the two basins, indicating that during the Metal Ages, burning processes were not homogeneous in the Belgian region. Instead, cremation practices appear to align with the different cultural influences also observed in ceramics and bronze artifacts from the same time period. These observed differences in funerary practices between the two basins in Belgium show the immense potential of combining infrared and carbon and oxygen isotope analyses to investigate cremation rituals in any period and region around the world.
AB - Studies of funerary practices provide information about many aspects of death in past societies. However, only limited archaeological evidence documents the circumstances under which cremations occurred and the person(s) who were performing the funerary rituals. Lying at the border between Atlantic and Continental cultural traditions, the Scheldt and Meuse basins of Belgium represent a unique location to investigate variations in ancient pyre technology and body management, as well as the transfer of knowledge related to cremation techniques during the Metal Ages (ca. 2100-52 BCE). The combined use of Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, and carbon and oxygen isotope analysis of different skeletal elements from cremation deposits from four archaeological sites clearly shows differences between the Meuse and Scheldt basins. Different wood availability or selection, and variations in the skills and/or experience of the cremation operator may explain these results. These observed differences are likely linked to ways in which cremation was performed in the two basins, indicating that during the Metal Ages, burning processes were not homogeneous in the Belgian region. Instead, cremation practices appear to align with the different cultural influences also observed in ceramics and bronze artifacts from the same time period. These observed differences in funerary practices between the two basins in Belgium show the immense potential of combining infrared and carbon and oxygen isotope analyses to investigate cremation rituals in any period and region around the world.
KW - Carbon & oxygen isotope analysis
KW - Cremated bones
KW - Early iron age
KW - FTIR-ATR
KW - Late bronze age
U2 - 10.1016/j.jas.2021.105509
DO - 10.1016/j.jas.2021.105509
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85117878671
VL - 136
JO - Journal of Archaeological Science
JF - Journal of Archaeological Science
SN - 0305-4403
M1 - 105509
ER -
ID: 285248797