Yes

Cette thèse étudie, dans toute leur complexité et leur variabilité, les pratiques funéraires au sein du territoire de Forum Iulii (commune actuelle de Fréjus), l’une des civitas de la Province de Narbonnaise définie par Auguste à la fin du Ier siècle av. n. è. Il s’inscrit sur une période chronologique longue riche en bouleversements socio-culturels (Ier s.- IVe s. de n.è.), propre à révéler l’évolution de ces pratiques et ainsi d’appréhender la relation qu’entretiennent les individus et/ou les groupes sociaux avec leurs traditions funéraires. Ce cadre spatio-temporel est également choisi pour sa cohérence et sa richesse documentaire. L’étude est basée sur une approche interdisciplinaire,entre archéologie et anthropologie biologique. Les paramètres étudiés, selon cette double perspective, participent conjointement à une lecture individuelle puis globale des sépultures et des ensembles funéraires afin de restituer les pratiques et l’influence des facteurs socio-culturels sur le traitement des morts. Le recours à ces deux disciplines garantit une compréhension optimale des systèmes de représentations sociales propres à une communauté face au décès de l’un de ses membres. L’analyse des restes osseux humains (âge au décès, sexe, état sanitaire), mais également celle des restes matériels (ensemble de dépôts associés, architecture de la sépulture, mode d’implantation traitement du corps, etc.) constituent les outils incontournables de l’archéologie de la mort qui vise alors à contribuer à une meilleure connaissance des populations antiques grâce à une approche bioculturelle. / This study aims to understand, in all their complexity and variability, the funerary practices of the territory of Forum Iulii (Fréjus), one of the civitas of the Gallia Narbonnensis, defined by Auguste at the end of the 1st century. BC. It is part of a long chronological period rich in socio-cultural upheavals (1st-4th century AD), wich reveals the evolution of these practices, and thus allow us to apprehend the relationship between individuals and / or social groups with their funerary traditions. This spatio-temporal framework is also chosen for its coherence and documentary richness. The study is based on an archaeothanatology approach, between archeology and biological anthropology. The studied parameters, considered in the both perspective, participate together in an individual, and then global reading of burials and funerary spaces in order to return practices, funerary rites, but also the influence of socio-cultural factors on the treatment of the dead corpses.The use of these two disciplines insures an optimal understanding of the social systems and religious representations specific to a community confronted with the death of one of its members. The human bones analysis (age and sex determination, health status), but also the study of the material (set of deposits, burial architecture, implantation of the tomb, body’s treatment, etc.) are the essential tools for the archeology of death, which aims to contribute to a better knowledge of ancient populations through a biocultural approach.

The thesis explores burial practices across all three phases (early, middle and late) of the Anglo-Saxon period (c.450–1066 AD) in Norfolk and the relationship with the identity of the deceased. It is argued that despite the plethora of research that there are few studies that address all three phases and despite acknowledgement that regional variation existed, fewer do so within the context of a single locality. By looking across the whole Anglo-Saxon period, in one locality, this research identified that subtler changes in burial practices were visible. Previous research has tended to separate the cremation and inhumation rites. This research has shown that in Norfolk the use of the two rites may have been related and used to convey aspects of identity and / or social position, from a similar or opposing perspective, possibly relating to a pre-Christian belief system. This thesis stresses the importance of establishing biological identity through osteological analysis and in comparing biological identity with the funerary evidence. Burial practices were related to the biological identity of the deceased across the three periods and within the different site types, but the less common burial practices had the greatest associations with the biological identity of the deceased, presumably to convey social role or status. Whilst the inclusion of grave-goods created the early Anglo-Saxon burial tableau, a later burial tableau was created using the grave and / or the position of the body and an increasing connection between the biological and the social identity of the deceased, noted throughout the Anglo-Saxon period in Norfolk, corresponds with the timeline of the religious transition.

The East Alpine region formed an important crossroads in later prehistoric Europe, through which ideas, people and objects flowed. This was particularly the case during the Late Bronze Age/ Early Iron Age, when an increasingly competitive society was evolving, with the formation of more complex social structures and the rise of ‘elites’. This has been evidenced in a shift in burial customs, from Urnfield-type cremation burial to the construction of tumuli and the adoption of elaborate inhumation burial. This multidisciplinary, multi-scalar approach to the analysis of human remains aims to explore the evolving structure, homogeneity and heterogeneity of communities inhabiting central and eastern Slovenia, and north-eastern Croatia, during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. The application of multiple methods, including the osteological analysis of cremated and non-cremated human remains, radiocarbon dating, stable isotope analysis (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and strontium) and aDNA analysis has facilitated the exploration and interpretation of later prehistoric social structure and lifestyle. The use of carbon (from enamel carbonate and collagen) and nitrogen stable isotope analysis has highlighted important dietary distinctions between communities inhabiting this region and previous studies from elsewhere in contemporary Europe – specifically a high dependence on millet as a staple crop. This has been evidenced by δ13C values of between -17‰ and -15.3‰ from bone collagen. δ15N values of between 7.6‰ and 9.1‰ support this interpretation as they do not indicate the consumption of marine protein. Increased δ15N values of up to 13.5‰ from deciduous dentine have been interpreted as the influence of dietary and metabolic conditions, particularly in the presentation of an Infant exhibited palaeopathological evidence of severe metabolic disease. Complementary isotopic methods, including oxygen isotope ratios and enamel carbonate carbon, have also highlighted heterogeneity in childhood diet, reflecting the transition from a high lipid diet of breastmilk, to a diet of carbohydrates, indicative of weaning. In addition to these findings, the application of radiocarbon dating on cremated and nio-cremated human bone has expanded the current understanding of mortuary practices in this study area. Inhumation burial, previously thought synomemous with the Iron Age, has been now been identified throughout the Bronze Age at the cemetery of Obrežje. The application of this multi-scalar approach to combining and interpreting these data sets has allowed for the investigation of individual biographies, as well as regional trends. This research illustrates the advantages of bringing together multiple lines of evidence for the creation of informed interpretations regarding the life, death and diet of prehistoric peoples of the East Alpine region, and beyond. / The Encounters and Transformations in Iron Age Europe (ENTRANS) Project, led by Ian Armit, with the Slovenian and Croatian principal investigators, Matija Črešnar and Hrvoje Potrebica. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 291827. The project is financially supported by the HERA Joint Research Programme (www.heranet.info) which is co-funded by AHRC, AKA, BMBF via PT-DLR, DASTI, ETAG, FCT, FNR, FNRS, FWF, FWO, HAZU, IRC, LMT, MHEST, NWO, NCN, RANNÍS, RCN, VR and The European Community FP7 2007-2013, under the Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities programme. / The Appendices A-H are not available online.

The inclusion of animal remains in funerary contexts was a routine feature of Anglo-Saxon cremation ritual, and less frequently of inhumations, until the introduction of Christianity during the 7th century. Most interpretation has focused either on the animal as symbolic of identity or as an indication of pagan belief, with little consideration given to the interaction between these two aspects. Animals were a fundamental and ubiquitous part of early medieval society, and their contribution to mortuary practices is considered to be multifaceted, reflecting their multiple roles in everyday life. This project considers the roles of animals in mortuary practice between the 5th-7th centuries across five counties in eastern England – Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex – in both cremation and inhumation rites. Animal remains have been recognised in 5th to 7th century burials in eastern England from an early date, and the quality of the existing archives (both material and written) is investigated and discussed as an integral part of designing a methodology to effectively summarise data across a wide area. From the eastern England dataset, four aspects of identity in mortuary practice are considered in terms of their influence on the role of animals: choice of rite (cremation/inhumation); human biological identity (age & gender); regionality; and changing expressions of belief and status in the 7th century. The funerary role of animals is argued to be based around broadly consistent cosmologies which are locally contingent in their expression and practice. / Arts & Humanities Research Council Studentship under the Collaborative Doctoral Award scheme with Norwich Castle Museum as the partner organisation.

The thesis explores burial practices across all three phases (early, middle and late) of the Anglo-Saxon period (c.450–1066 AD) in Norfolk and the relationship with the identity of the deceased. It is argued that despite the plethora of research that there are few studies that address all three phases and despite acknowledgement that regional variation existed, fewer do so within the context of a single locality. By looking across the whole Anglo-Saxon period, in one locality, this research identified that subtler changes in burial practices were visible. Previous research has tended to separate the cremation and inhumation rites. This research has shown that in Norfolk the use of the two rites may have been related and used to convey aspects of identity and / or social position, from a similar or opposing perspective, possibly relating to a pre-Christian belief system. This thesis stresses the importance of establishing biological identity through osteological analysis and in comparing biological identity with the funerary evidence. Burial practices were related to the biological identity of the deceased across the three periods and within the different site types, but the less common burial practices had the greatest associations with the biological identity of the deceased, presumably to convey social role or status. Whilst the inclusion of grave-goods created the early Anglo-Saxon burial tableau, a later burial tableau was created using the grave and / or the position of the body and an increasing connection between the biological and the social identity of the deceased, noted throughout the Anglo-Saxon period in Norfolk, corresponds with the timeline of the religious transition. / Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) / Some images have been removed due to copyright restrictions.

The inclusion of animal remains in funerary contexts was a routine feature of Anglo-Saxon cremation ritual, and less frequently of inhumations, until the introduction of Christianity during the 7th century. Most interpretation has focused either on the animal as symbolic of identity or as an indication of pagan belief, with little consideration given to the interaction between these two aspects. Animals were a fundamental and ubiquitous part of early medieval society, and their contribution to mortuary practices is considered to be multifaceted, reflecting their multiple roles in everyday life. This project considers the roles of animals in mortuary practice between the 5th-7th centuries across five counties in eastern England – Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex – in both cremation and inhumation rites. Animal remains have been recognised in 5th to 7th century burials in eastern England from an early date, and the quality of the existing archives (both material and written) is investigated and discussed as an integral part of designing a methodology to effectively summarise data across a wide area. From the eastern England dataset, four aspects of identity in mortuary practice are considered in terms of their influence on the role of animals: choice of rite (cremation/inhumation); human biological identity (age & gender); regionality; and changing expressions of belief and status in the 7th century. The funerary role of animals is argued to be based around broadly consistent cosmologies which are locally contingent in their expression and practice. / Arts & Humanities Research Council Studentship under the Collaborative Doctoral Award scheme, with Norwich Castle Museum as the partner organisation

Yes / Recent radiocarbon dating of a skeleton from Balevullin, Tiree, excavated in the early twentieth century, demonstrates that it dates to the Neolithic period, rather than the Iron Age as originally expected. Osteological examination suggests that the individual was a young adult woman, exhibiting osteological deformities consistent with vitamin D deficiency, most likely deriving from childhood rickets; an exceptionally early identification of the disease in the UK with potentially significant social implications. Isotopic analysis supports the osteological evidence for physiological stress in childhood and further suggests that the woman was most probably local to the islands. Analysis of the surviving written archive reveals that the surviving skeleton was one of several originally recovered from the site, making Balevullin an exceptionally rare example of a British Neolithic inhumation cemetery.

Depuis ces vingt dernières années, l'étude sur l'enfance et le monde de l'enfant dans les sociétés anciennes s'est particulièrement développée. Souvent inhérente aux questions relatives à l'environnement féminin et à la maternité, elle a très vite tendu à se poser comme sujet à part entière. L'individu en devenir est apparu comme un élément clef utile à la compréhension de la structure des sociétés anciennes.La Mésopotamie de l'âge du Bronze est à ce titre particulièrement riche en documentations variées. Une approche pluridisciplinaire y est donc possible tout en sachant que ce matériel ne peut être lu et compris sans avoir conscience de ses propres spécificités. C'est pour cette raison que chaque type de documentation a été traité dans cette étude individuellement dans un premier temps.Après un bref aperçu de ce nous disent les images du monde mésopotamien, principalement à travers des représentations religieuses, l'étude des textes nous a permis non seulement de dessiner les grandes étapes du développement de l'enfant en tant qu'individu en devenir, mais aussi d'appréhender les enjeux sociaux qui se tissent autour de lui.Les données archéologiques nous ont permis quant à elles, car elles concernent un plus grand nombre de sites et des régions plus variées, de mettre en lumière tantôt certaines tendances régionales, tantôt des motifs transculturels concernant surtout les plus jeunes. / Studies on childhood and the children world in ancient societies has been very well developed for about twenty years. Mostly related to female environment and maternity, this topic quickly became a real field of investigation. The developing being came out as a key element in the understanding of the organisation of ancient societies.Regarding this, Mesopotamia in the Bronze Age is rich of varied materials allowing a multidisciplinary approach. Nevertheless, due to their own specificities, each type of data has been treated separately in a first time.Following a quick overview of Mesopotamian representations of the youngest ones, mainly thanks to religious and magical artifacts and pictures, textual data analysis allowed us to draw some stages of the children development as evolving individuals, and to grasp social issues forged around them.Finally, substantial archaeological data, more varied in time and space, permitted to enlighten regional trends and transcultural patterns, especially concerning the very young ones.

Depuis près d’un siècle et demi, près de quatre cent cinquante sépultures collectives ont été découvertes dans le Bassin parisien. L’information archéologique à disposition y est largement lacunaire. La connaissance des groupes chrono-culturels de la fin du Néolithique a tout de même été enrichie grâce au mobilier funéraire. Il a permis de définir une phase de construction et d’utilisation commune pour une grande majorité de sépultures collectives au Néolithique récent 2 (3350-3000 av. J.-C). Une minorité d’entre elles a été utilisée au Néolithique final 1 (2900-2550 av. J.-C.), voire jusqu’au début de l’Âge du Bronze. Malgré un horizon chronologique commun, les sépultures collectives du Bassin parisien présentent une étonnante diversité architecturale. Deux grands types de monuments ont été identifiés : les allées sépulcrales et les hypogées. Ils coexistent avec un ensemble de sépulcres anciennement appelés « dolmens » ou « sépultures en fosse », deux termes qui sont aujourd’hui à bannir. Chaque type architectural se caractérise par des techniques de construction, une répartition géographique, une logique d’implantation, une durée d’utilisation et une concentration de mobilier qui lui est propre. Cette diversité est-elle renforcée par des divergences au niveau des pratiques funéraires ? Les différents types de sépultures collectives du Bassin parisien se distinguent-ils également par leurs modes de fonctionnement ? Peuvent-ils constituer des caractères culturels originaux ? / For one century and an half, around four hundred and fifty collective burials had been discovered in the Paris basin. The archeological information is widely lacunar. The knowledge of the chronological and cultural groups of the end of the Neolithic had been enhanced thanks to the burial deposit. It permitted to define a common phase of building and use of a large majority of the collective burials during the recent Neolithic (3350-3000 av. J.-C). A minority of them had been used during the final Neolithic(2900-2550 av. J.-C.), or even till the beginning of the Bronze Age.In spite of a common chronological horizon, the collective burials of the Paris basin presents a suprising architectural diversity. Two main types of monuments had been identified : the sepulchral galleries and the hypogeums. They coexist with a group of burials formerly named “dolmen” or “burial grave”, two names that we could not use any more. Each archictectural type is characterised by his own building technique, geographical distribution, implantation logic, useful life and deposit concentration. Is this diversity reinforced by some differences on burial practices ? Are the different types of collective burials of the Paris basin distinguished between as well by their functioning ? Could they constitue original characteristic cultural ?