Late Bronze Age skeletal populations of Slovenia
Within the field of archaeology, cremation studies have the potential to provide important information regarding regional demography, pyre technology, burial rituals, and social rites. The development of recognized value and study of cremated remains has been stimulated by the establishment of proper methods of analysis and the increased awareness of the varying characteristics the bones exhibit after having been exposed to firing. During the Late Bronze Age, cremation was the principal method of disposing of deceased individuals throughout central and southern Europe. Three Urnfield Culture sites which had the most preserved material were selected for this study; from these sites, 169 individuals were selected for osteoarchaeological research. In addition to a standard osteological examination, cremation-related changes to the skeleton were studied such as temperature of firing, fracture patterns, element survival, and overall fragmentation and preservation. Demographics such as age and sex were established for each individual when possible and any animal bones present were acknowledged. This research is important because it is the first major osteological study done on cremated remains from Urnfield Culture
Thomas, Jayne-Leigh
Slovenia ; cremation
Late Bronze Age skeletal populations of Slovenia. Within the field of archaeology, cremation studies have the potential to provide important information regarding regional demography, pyre technology, burial rituals, and social rites. The development of recognized value and study of cremated remains has been stimulated by the establishment of proper methods of analysis and the increased awareness of the varying characteristics the bones exhibit after having been exposed to firing. During the Late Bronze Age, cremation was the principal method of disposing of deceased individuals throughout central and southern Europe. Three Urnfield Culture sites which had the most preserved material were selected for this study; from these sites, 169 individuals were selected for osteoarchaeological research. In addition to a standard osteological examination, cremation-related changes to the skeleton were studied such as temperature of firing, fracture patterns, element survival, and overall fragmentation and preservation. Demographics such as age and sex were established for each individual when possible and any animal bones present were acknowledged. This research is important because it is the first major osteological study done on cremated remains from Urnfield Culture
late_bronze_age skeletal_population within_field archaeology cremation study potential provide_important information_regard regional demography pyre technology burial ritual social rite development recognize value study remains stimulated establishment proper method analysis increase_awareness vary characteristic bone exhibit exposed firing late_bronze_age cremation principal method dispose decease individual throughout central_southern europe culture sit preserve material select study sit individual select osteoarchaeological research addition standard osteological examination cremation related_change skeleton study temperature firing fracture pattern element survival overall fragmentation preservation age_sex establish individual possible animal_bone present acknowledge important first_major osteological study remains culture