Normative, Atypical or Deviant? Interpreting Prehistoric and Protohistoric Child Burial Practices

The SSCIP monograph series, "Normative, Atypical or Deviant? Interpreting Prehistoric and Protohistoric Child Burial Practices," explores the response of the living to the death of a child, focusing on juvenile burial practices in Europe and the Near East during recent prehistory and protohistory. The papers discuss the interpretation of normative, atypical or deviant burial practices based on the context and intentionality of the practice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 268 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2023
Publisher: Archaeopress

Interpreting Prehistoric and Protohistoric Child Burial Practices, the tenth volume in the SSCIP monograph series, delves into the profound response of the living to the loss of a child. This response is intricately linked to belief systems and the deep-seated concern for the fate of the deceased in the afterlife. The funeral rituals of each culture typically adhere to a prescribed format, aimed at fulfilling the needs of the deceased while also ensuring the well-being of the living. However, when burials deviate from the established norms of their society, how do we interpret these unconventional practices? Can we uncover evidence of positive or even negative emotions associated with these deviations? Should atypical rites for children be considered normal, considering that they align with the practices of their age cohort and may simply reflect adult-centric interpretations of the past?

The papers within this volume explore these critical questions by focusing on juvenile burial practices in Europe and the Near East during recent prehistory and protohistory. Through a contextual analysis of the burials and an examination of the intentionality behind the practices, the volume seeks to unravel the complexities of interpreting normative, atypical, or deviant behavior in the context of child burial.

In the realm of prehistoric and protohistoric child burial practices, the interpretation of normative, atypical, or deviant behavior is a complex and multifaceted endeavor. The papers within this volume shed light on these practices by examining juvenile burial practices in Europe and the Near East during recent prehistory and protohistory. By analyzing the context of the burials and the intentionality behind the practices, the authors challenge traditional notions of what constitutes normative behavior and offer new insights into the emotional and social dimensions of child loss and burial.

One of the key themes explored in the volume is the relationship between belief systems and child burial practices. The authors argue that belief systems play a crucial role in shaping the response of the living to the death of a child. Funeral rituals, for example, are often designed to communicate with the deceased and ensure their well-being in the afterlife. However, when burials deviate from the prescribed norms, it can be difficult to understand the underlying intentions and beliefs behind these practices.

The papers in this volume provide a range of case studies that illustrate the complexities of interpreting child burial practices. For instance, one study examines the burial practices of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods in Europe, which were characterized by the use of communal burial mounds. The authors argue that these burial mounds were not simply places of burial but also symbols of community and social identity. By analyzing the spatial arrangement and material culture of these mounds, the authors suggest that they may have played a role.

Another study explores the burial practices of the Early Bronze Age in the Near East, which were characterized by the use of individual burial mounds. The authors argue that these burial mounds were not simply places of burial but also symbols of individual identity and status. By analyzing the burial goods and the spatial arrangement of these mounds, the authors suggest that they may have been used to communicate social hierarchy.

The volume also explores the role of gender in interpreting child burial practices. The authors argue that gender plays a significant role in shaping the response to the death of a child, particularly in societies where gender roles were highly stratified. For example, in some societies, boys were buried with weapons and other male-associated artifacts, while girls were buried with jewelry and other female-associated artifacts. The authors suggest that these gender-specific burial practices may have been used to communicate social status and identity.

In addition to these themes, the volume also examines the impact of cultural change on child burial practices. The authors argue that as societies transitioned from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies, there was a shift in the way that children were perceived and treated. Children were no longer seen as a source of labor and were instead viewed as individuals with their own unique identities and rights. This shift in perspective led to a range of changes in child burial practices, including the use of more elaborate and symbolic burial rituals and the increased importance of individual burial mounds.

Overall, Interpreting Prehistoric and Protohistoric Child Burial Practices is a valuable contribution to the field of archaeology and anthropology. The volume provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the response of the living to the loss of a child in prehistoric and protohistoric societies. By challenging traditional notions of what constitutes normative behavior and offering new insights into the emotional and social dimensions of child loss and burial, the authors contribute to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of human behavior.

Weight: 684g
Dimension: 174 x 245 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803275116