21. Ideological changes in burial through the Bronze and the Iron Age: body, ashes and miniature rituals

Introduction to Cremation Rituals

• Cremation Rituals: Integral to the understanding of social and religious beliefs at the end of the pre-urban phase in societies.

• Related to previous lessons on Middle Bronze Age funerary rituals and the transition in the Late Bronze Age through Celtic settlements.

• The focus of the lesson is on ideological changes in burial practices from the Bronze to the Iron Age.

Historical Context

• Transition to Cremation:

  • Dominant in central Italy after the Recent Bronze Age.

  • Evident in burial practices but not universally adopted; inhumation still occurred in some areas.

• Middle Bronze Age Practices: Limited knowledge of burial practices in Mediterranean Italy during this time, but cremation becomes clear evidence in the Recent Bronze Age.

Major Shifts in Burial Practices

• Late Bronze Age: Predominantly cremation; however, inhumation resurfaces in the Iron Age.

• Historical Timeframe: 8th century BCE sees the transition to inhumation in Latium and Etruria.

• Ceremonial significance of cremation for high-status individuals, exemplified by impressive warrior burials such as the male warrior of the AA1 grave.

Details of Cremation Rituals

• Nature of the Practice:

  • Perceived as rigorous and orderly, showcasing strict adherence to ritual behaviours.

  • Cremation shows a noticeable reduction in personal grave goods, especially weapons, emphasizing a change in societal values regarding death.

• Defunctionalization:

  • Ritual act involving the breaking of grave goods (e.g., handles of urns), making them unusable.

  • This act carries significant implications regarding beliefs and the treatment of the deceased.

Symbolism in Cremation

• Association with Solar Symbolism:

  • Symbolism connected with the Sun appears in burials, hinting at beliefs about the afterlife and a broader cosmic order.

  • Representations of birds (such as ducks and swans) linked to solar motifs reflect complex spiritual beliefs.

Early Examples of Cremation in Italy

• Neolithic to Early Copper Age: Isolated cases of cremation noted, particularly around Grotta Continenza and in southern Italy.

• Cremation in Southern Italy: A hallmark of early funerary practices; significant sites include Taurasi, with notable funerary architecture.

• Influence in Northern Italy: Adoption of cremation may be influenced by practices from the Danube region.

Cremation Practices Across Italy

• Cremation and Inhumation Coexistence: Notable in Northern Italy during the Middle Bronze Age, with clusters showing no clear social or gender bias.

• Ritual Taboo on Grave Goods: Cremation often meant fewer grave goods, highlighting a ritual taboo within the ceremonies.

Specific Sites and Finds

• Casinalba Cemetery: Highlighted the systematic removal of grave goods and the ritual’s distinctions from inhumation practices.

• Local Variations: Graves in regions such as Apulia show different patterns in terms of goods placed in graves.

• Lucas Ferroni Cemetery: New insights into burial practices, such as the use of tin foil decoration on pottery and unique grave structures.

Miniaturization in Funerary Practices

• Transformation of grave goods: Miniaturized items as symbolic representations of status and wealth.

• Hut urns: Representations of households, often containing figurines, indicating a shift in how personal belongings are treated post-cremation.

Conclusion

• Social Implications of Cremation: A hierarchical society is suggested through grave goods and burial practices, with vast differences in entombment based on social status.

• Future studies: Understanding of these societies continues to evolve with ongoing archaeological research, particularly regarding cremation practices and their meanings.

• End of the Lesson: Insights drawn from cremation rituals underline the importance of examining societal structures and belief systems in ancient Italy.