ROAM
A Regional Outlook on Ancient Migration
The Full Story
Burying the dead
Archeothanatologists study how human bodies were treated after death by analyzing the position and condition of skeletal remains in archaeological contexts. Their work helps reconstruct burial practices, decomposition processes, and cultural attitudes toward death in past societies.
Archeothanatology
Archaeothanatologists study human burials to understand not only how people were buried, but also what these practices reveal about past societies. Their work involves detailed analysis of the position of the body, the condition of the bones, and the characteristics of the burial environment. By examining how a body decomposed in its grave—whether it was buried in a coffin, wrapped in a shroud, or placed directly in the earth—they can reconstruct the sequence of events from the moment of death to the final burial. This helps determine whether a burial was primary (undisturbed) or secondary (reburied), and whether it was intentional or accidental.
In addition to the body itself, archaeothanatologists pay close attention to the grave context. This includes the orientation of the body, the presence of grave goods, and the structure of the burial pit. These elements can reflect cultural beliefs about death, the afterlife, and social status. For example, a carefully arranged burial with offerings may indicate ritual significance or high social standing, while a hasty or disturbed burial might suggest conflict, disease, or marginalization.
By combining this physical evidence with broader archaeological and historical data, archaeothanatologists contribute to a deeper understanding of past communities. They help reveal how societies treated their dead, how they expressed identity and memory through burial, and how funerary practices changed over time in response to cultural, environmental, or political shifts.
Mesolithic burials
During the Mesolithic period in Western Europe, burial practices were highly diverse and often reflected complex social and ritual behaviors. In Belgium, Mesolithic burials are relatively rare but provide valuable insights into the treatment of the dead among early hunter-gatherer communities. These burials range from simple inhumations to more elaborate practices involving manipulation of the body, secondary burials, and the inclusion of grave goods. The variability in burial types—such as single, multiple, or collective burials—suggests a range of cultural expressions and possibly differing beliefs about death and the afterlife.
Margaux and des Autours
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Two notable Mesolithic burial sites in Belgium are Abri des Autours and Grotte Margaux. Both are located along the Upper Meuse River. At Abri des Autours both Mesolithic and Neolithic human bones were recovered. With the exception of one Mesolithic female that was found relatively complete (AA3), the skeletal remains were found commingled and spread into different concentrations in the cave.
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Grotte Margaux, near Dinant, revealed a more complex mortuary context. Excavations uncovered the remains of 7 to 10 adult females, buried during the Early Mesolithic in what appears to have been a loosely built burial cairn or mound, a pit lined and covered with stones. One of the most striking findings was a human skull (calvaria) bearing intentional cutmarks, interpreted as evidence of post-mortem manipulation, possibly as part of a mortuary ritual. These marks suggest the removal of the mandible and scalp, indicating that the treatment of the dead involved specific and possibly symbolic actions. The burial’s location deep within the cave, away from natural light, further supports the idea of a ritualized space distinct from everyday life.
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