Examining mortuary treatment in the Neolithic caves of south-west Britain: a taphonomic approach

Konstantinidi, Eirini 2023. Examining mortuary treatment in the Neolithic caves of south-west Britain: a taphonomic approach. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This doctoral research employs a multi-scalar taphonomic approach to Neolithic human remains from caves in southwest Britain to reconstruct mortuary practices and examine regional, chronological and demographic variation. Human remains from caves represent a rich resource for understanding Neolithic mortuary practices which are in turn central to understanding wide-ranging aspects of society. This research aims to identify diversity in practices of inhumation, exhumation and excarnation in caves in south-west Britain and explore the impact of cave taphonomy. To successfully understand the processes that affect human remains in caves and examine regional and chronological variation in practices between sites and individuals three main methods are used: 1. Macro- and microscocpic taphonomic analysis of disarticulated material to examine pre- peri- and post-depositional processes and compare practices to Neolithic monumental burials 2. Osteological analysis of all available human remains from caves in Wales to investigate demographic patterns in mortuary treatment 3. Provision of new radiocarbon dating to examine chronological variation between sites and individuals and determine if methods are part of widespread practices in the Neolithic The multi-level approach revealed differences in treatment and chronological variation between individuals, regions and sites across South Wales, north Wales and north Somerset. Practices of inhumation, excarnation and exhumation overlapped and human agency was identified in methods of curation and processing between individuals. Adoption and re-use of practices across regions showed a continuum in the use of caves and was characterised by various stages of manipulation and constant re-working of bone similar to Neolithic monumental burials. Use of this multi-scalar approach was unique in a Neolithic context and provided a new understanding of Neolithic mortuary treatment.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	History, Archaeology and Religion
Subjects:	C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Funders:	National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF), BCRA Cave Science and Technology Research Fund, The Prehistoric Society-SUERC Radiocarbon Award
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	24 April 2023
Date of Acceptance:	24 April 2023
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2024 01:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/159009

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