lime burial

Quicklime burials are a specific protohistoric ritual of the Balearic Islands. A lot of them have been excavated in the previous century but radiocarbon dating of this specific phenomenon started with the sites of Son Matge and Son Muertos de Gallard in the 1970’s. Recent research has shed new light on this burial ritual. Analysis of the bones and lime have proven that the quicklime burials are the result of cremation with the use of crushed rock carbonate, which must have covered the dead body. New excavations on the sites of Cova de Na Dent, Son Pellisser (Mallorca) and Cova de Sa Prior (Menorca) has delivered new insights in the chronology of this ritual. The conclusion drawn from theC measurements is that the ritual dates back to the beginning of the Early Iron Age and survives until the beginning of the Roman Imperial period, as proven by a typochronological study of the pottery. Enterramientos de cal Baleares. Nuevas percepciones sobre un viejo ritual funerario Resumen. Los en...

Lime burials are a characteristic phenomenon of the protohistoric funerary tradition on the Balearic Islands. At Cova de Na Dent 6 samples, representing the entire stratigraphy of the lime burial, were taken for analysis. The radiocarbon dates (De Mulder et al. 2014) suggested that the lowest levels of the burial were Late Bronze Age. This is in contradiction with archaeological evidence from other sites (Micó Pérez R. 2005, 2006; Castro Martnínez et al. 1997). Therefore a new analysis strategy was put forwards, focusing more on the socalled '1 st fraction'.

The chronology of the Balearic lime burials has been under debate for many years. It has been unclear for a long time when the interments in lime burials came in use during the Iron Age also called the Talayotic period on the Balearic Islands. Different opinions exist, some archaeologists define the entire Iron Age as the Talayotic period, some include also the late Bronze Age in this cultural period. Still others call the middle and Late Iron Age the Post-Talayotic period. In spite of the Hallstatt plateau in the calibration curve the radiocarbon dates of the Son Pellisser lime burial have demonstrated very clearly that the lime burial started most probably around 780 BCE and at least before 550 BCE, rejecting the hypothesis of a Late Iron Age phenomenon. Furthermore, the analysis of the bones confirmed the earlier observations that the Balearic lime burials were the result of a special type of cremation involving the use of fine crushed limestone during the Iron Age.

The chronology of the Balearic lime burials has been under debate for many years. It has been unclear for a long time when the interments in lime burials came in use during the Iron Age also called the Talayotic period on the Balearic Islands. Different opinions exist, some archaeologists define the entire Iron Age as the Talayotic period, some include also the late Bronze Age in this cultural period. Still others call the middle and Late Iron Age the Post-Talayotic period. In spite of the Hallstatt plateau in the calibration curve the radiocarbon dates of the Son Pellisser lime burial have demonstrated very clearly that the lime burial started most probably around 780 BCE and at least before 550 BCE, rejecting the hypothesis of a Late Iron Age phenomenon. Furthermore, the analysis of the bones confirmed the earlier observations that the Balearic lime burials were the result of a special type of cremation involving the use of fine crushed limestone during the Iron Age.

Abstract The chronology of the Balearic lime burials has been under debate for many years. It has been unclear for a long time when the interments in lime burials came in use during the Iron Age also called the Talayotic period on the Balearic Islands. Different opinions exist, some archaeologists define the entire Iron Age as the Talayotic period, some include also the late Bronze Age in this cultural period. Still others call the middle and Late Iron Age the Post-Talayotic period. In spite of the Hallstatt plateau in the calibration curve the radiocarbon dates of the Son Pellisser lime burial have demonstrated very clearly that the lime burial started most probably around 780 BCE and at least before 550 BCE, rejecting the hypothesis of a Late Iron Age phenomenon. Furthermore, the analysis of the bones confirmed the earlier observations that the Balearic lime burials were the result of a special type of cremation involving the use of fine crushed limestone during the Iron Age.

Traditionally, the Balearic so-called 'quicklime burials' of the Iron Age have been considered to be inhumations in quicklime. The general appearance of the bones, however, resembles more closely that of cremated bones. Laboratory tests reveal that the observed features of the bones from these burials, including cracks, thumbnail fractures and warping, cannot be explained by an inhumation in quicklime. The d 13 C value, Fourier transform infrared spectra, SF values and the low carbon content of the apatite moreover indicate a thermal manipulation of the bones. The 14 C content is depleted with regard to the accepted archaeological age of the sample, which can best be explained by carbon exchange between bio-apatite and fossil CO 2 released during the heating of limestone. This implies that the Balearic 'quicklime burials' must be interpreted as an elaborate cremation practice in presence of limestone.

Lime burials are a characteristic phenomenon of the protohistoric funerary tradition on the Balearic Islands. At Cova de Na Dent, a lime burial has been sampled for analysis. The lime burial was made up of lime and fragmented bones. Six layers were sampled and described in the laboratory according to their color, the consistency of the deposition, and the aspect and quantity of the bone fragments. Bone samples and lime were dated. The lime was analyzed by using petrographic analysis, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and simultaneous thermal analysis. The results show that the bones were cremated in the presence of crushed rock carbonate. The 14C dates on the lime suggest an earlier chronology for this ritual, starting in the Bronze Age, as generally is accepted.

The Balearic quicklime burials of the Iron Age have been radiocarbon dated. Because the bones found are unsuitable for dating, lime was dated using the titration method, with results indicating that in some samples there is still fossil limestone carbonate present, while other samples suffered from recarbonation. Nevertheless, 14C dates on lime and organic matter agree when both are present. The titration method allows calculating a consensus value.

Quicklime burials are a specific protohistoric ritual of the Balearic Islands. A lot of them have been excavated in the previous century but radiocarbon dating of this specific phenomenon started with the sites of Son Matge and Son Muertos de Gallard in the 1970’s. Recent research has shed new light on this burial ritual. Analysis of the bones and lime have proven that the quicklime burials are the result of cremation with the use of crushed rock carbonate, which must have covered the dead body. New excavations on the sites of Cova de Na Dent, Son Pellisser (Mallorca) and Cova de Sa Prior (Menorca) has delivered new insights in the chronology of this ritual. The conclusion drawn from theC measurements is that the ritual dates back to the beginning of the Early Iron Age and survives until the beginning of the Roman Imperial period, as proven by a typochronological study of the pottery. Enterramientos de cal Baleares. Nuevas percepciones sobre un viejo ritual funerario Resumen. Los en...

The Balearic quicklime burials of the Iron Age have been radiocarbon dated. Because the bones found are unsuitable for dating, lime was dated using the titration method, with results indicating that in some samples there is still fossil limestone carbonate present, while other samples suffered from recarbonation. Nevertheless, 14C dates on lime and organic matter agree when both are present. The titration method allows calculating a consensus value.

The adoption of a new funerary ritual with all its social and cognitive meanings is of great importance to understanding social transformations of past societies. The first known occurrence of cremation in the territory corresponding to modern Belgium dates back to the Mesolithic period. From the end of the Neolithic onward, the practice of cremation was characterized by periods in which this rite was predominant and periods of contractions, defined by a decrease in the use of this funerary ritual. This paper aims to quantify such phenomenon for the first time by modeling discontinuities in burial practices through kernel density analysis of 1428 radiocarbon (14 C) dates from 311 archaeological sites located in Belgium from the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages. Despite possible taphonomic and sampling biases, the results highlight the existence of periods with a large uptake of cremation rite followed by periods of contractions; such discontinuities took place in correlation with chang...

The Balearic quicklime burials of the Iron Age have been radiocarbon dated. Because the bones found are unsuitable for dating, lime was dated using the titration method, with results indicating that in some samples there is still fossil limestone carbonate present, while other samples suffered from recarbonation. Nevertheless, 14C dates on lime and organic matter agree when both are present. The titration method allows calculating a consensus value.

The Balearic quicklime burials of the Iron Age have been radiocarbon dated. Because the bones found are unsuitable for dating, lime was dated using the titration method, with results indicating that in some samples there is still fossil limestone carbonate present, while other samples suffered from recarbonation. Nevertheless, 14 C dates on lime and organic matter agree when both are present. The titration method allows calculating a consensus value.

The roman city of Augusta Emerita (Mérida, Badajoz), founded in 25 BC., is one of the most important colonies in Hispania as the
provincial capital of Lusitania. Although its main necropolises are known, the state of conservation and archaeological works reveal
important remains. A funerary area has recently been excavated in recent work carried out in a new area of the National Museum of
Roman Art (MNAR). We have studied the 118 individuals buried there between the 2nd and 4th centuries AD. This study has consisted,
on the one hand, in registering the characteristics of the tombs and the composition of the grave goods. On the other hand,
in the detailed anthropological analysis of individuals to estimate their age. Among these, 33% correspond to subadult individuals
(<20 years). The large number of cases is very significant compared to other burial areas of the same period in Hispania. In addition,
among the infant graves, different ritual practices applied to these individuals have been detected. These data require a reading of
the possible causes that motivated this concentration of individuals treated ritually in a heterogeneous way. Among these specific
rituals, the finding of remains of lime in two of the tombs stands out. This intentional practice is not widely documented at this time
for any age group. In order to explain this and interpret these practices, we have contrasted the data from the study funerary area
with those from others about the same period and territory. Stable isotope analyzes (paleodiet and mobility) and paleopathological
analyzes are important in our research in process on these subadult individuals. On the other hand, archeometric analyzes on the
aforementioned lime remains are essential. With all these data, we can get closer to the way of life of these small inhabitants of the
city.

The adoption of a new funerary ritual with all its social and cognitive meanings is of great importance to understanding social transformations of past societies. The first known occurrence of cremation in the territory corresponding to modern Belgium dates back to the Mesolithic period. From the end of the Neolithic onward, the practice of cremation was characterized by periods in which this rite was predominant and periods of contractions, defined by a decrease in the use of this funerary ritual. This paper aims to quantify such phenomenon for the first time by modeling discontinuities in burial practices through kernel density analysis of 1428 radiocarbon (14 C) dates from 311 archaeological sites located in Belgium from the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages. Despite possible taphonomic and sampling biases, the results highlight the existence of periods with a large uptake of cremation rite followed by periods of contractions; such discontinuities took place in correlation with changes in the socio-economical structure of local communities, as, for example, during the later Middle Bronze Age and at the end of the Roman Period.

The chronology of the Balearic lime burials has been under debate for many years. It has been unclear for a long time when the interments in lime burials came in use during the Iron Age also called the Talayotic period on the Balearic Islands. Different opinions exist, some archaeologists define the entire Iron Age as the Talayotic period, some include also the late Bronze Age in this cultural period. Still others call the middle and Late Iron Age the Post-Talayotic period. In spite of the Hallstatt plateau in the calibration curve the radiocarbon dates of the Son Pellisser lime burial have demonstrated very clearly that the lime burial started most probably around 780 BCE and at least before 550 BCE, rejecting the hypothesis of a Late Iron Age phenomenon. Furthermore, the analysis of the bones confirmed the earlier observations that the Balearic lime burials were the result of a special type of cremation involving the use of fine crushed limestone during the Iron Age.

In order to reveal a possible carbon exchange between carbon dioxide of the fuel and the bone apatite during the cremation process an experiment was set up using fossil fuel. Two setups were constructed, one using natural gas and one using coal. In both experiments, a carbon substitution in the apatite was revealed.

Lime burials are a characteristic phenomenon of the protohistoric funerary tradition on the Balearic Islands. At Cova de Na Dent, a lime burial has been sampled for analysis. The lime burial was made up of lime and fragmented bones. Six layers were sampled and described in the laboratory according to their color, the consistency of the deposition, and the aspect and quantity of the bone fragments. Bone samples and lime were dated. The lime was analyzed by using petrographic analysis, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and simultaneous thermal analysis. The results show that the bones were cremated in the presence of crushed rock carbonate. The 14 C dates on the lime suggest an earlier chronology for this ritual, starting in the Bronze Age, as generally is accepted.