Neolithic and Bronze Age Funerary and Ritual Practices in Wales, 3600–1200 BC

Product Description


This book brings together, for the first time, all of the burials and funerary practices from the Middle Neolithic to the end of the Middle Bronze Age (3600-1200 BC) in Wales into one coherent volume. The work is the first to provide an up-to-date synthesis of monument form and mortuary practice in Neolithic and Bronze Age Wales. It provides a comprehensive overview of all human bone deposits (both cremation and inhumation) throughout this time span. This comprises the osteological analysis of over 250 human bone deposits, with new observations and interpretations. The book engages with current debates on the changing character and significance of burial rites in later prehistory.


Review


'Timely and important. ... The material from Wales is little known, yet has the potential to contribute to wider discussions regarding changes to social organisation, ritual practice and belief systems in prehistory. ... This is a comprehensive analysis of a dataset that will be of interest to prehistorians working in Britain, Ireland and northwest Europe.' Dr Joanna Brück, University of Bristol'This is a significant contribution that advances research into British prehistoric burial practices in a meaningful way.' Dr Duncan Garrow, University of Reading 'This is an innovative and original piece of work. ... The analysis by the author of 257 human bone deposits from Neolithic and Bronze Age Wales provides a wealth of new patterns, observations and interpretations regarding burial rituals, funerary processes and a host of other insights. ... This book also offers an important and up-to-date methodology for the future analysis of cremated bone.' Dr Catriona Gibson, University of Reading


About the Author


Geneviève Tellier