Breaking and Making the Ancestors: Piecing Together the Urnfield Mortuary Process in the Lower-Rhine-Basin, ca. 1300 - 400 BC

Urnfields, or cremation grave cemeteries, were common in the European Bronze Age, particularly in the Netherlands. These cemeteries contain large collections of small burial mounds, where the cremated remains of decedents were buried in shaft-like pits. Although these graves are often described as 'poor and simple,' they reveal a rich funerary practice that reflects a complex mortuary process. This book explores over 3,000 urnfield graves excavated in the Netherlands to reconstruct the mortuary process and understand the relationships between the dead, the use of objects as metaphors for identity, and the connection between the dead and the land.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2021
Publisher: Sidestone Press

Towards the culmination of the European Bronze Age, a vast expanse spanning from the Carpathians in the East to the North Sea in the West, emerged a remarkable phenomenon known as 'urnfields.' These burial sites, often referred to as 'urnfields,' hold a prominent place in the annals of archaeological discovery. Presently, approximately 700 of these burial grounds have been unearthed in the Netherlands alone. Situated within the Lower-Rhine-Basin region, these cemeteries stand out for their extensive assemblages of diminutive burial mounds, each housing the cremated remains of deceased individuals. In numerous instances, the cremated remains were initially placed in urns, thus giving rise to the name 'urnfields.' While the sheer volume of urnfield graves is impressive, they are often characterized as 'poor' and 'simple,' as grave gifts were seldom bestowed upon the decedents. Nevertheless, when a closer examination is conducted, the intricacies of the mortuary practices associated with these seemingly straightforward graves become apparent. This book embarks on a captivating exploration of the diverse funerary customs reflected in over 3,000 urnfield graves excavated across the Netherlands. Through meticulous analysis, it endeavors to reconstruct the mortuary processes associated with these urnfields, shedding light on the intricate tapestry of practices that shaped the burial customs of this particular region of Europe. These graves serve as a testament to the profound relationships that existed between the deceased, the utilization of everyday objects as metaphors for establishing familial and ancestral identities, and the intimate connection between the dead and the land. By delving into the rich tapestry of these burial sites, this book offers a captivating glimpse into the past, shedding light on the complex and multifaceted ways in which the dead were interwoven with their societies and the natural world.

Weight: 864g
Dimension: 183 x 257 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789464280005