Combined approach to the analysis of human cremated remains: Uncovering new aspects of rituals and funerary practices in the Iron Age Golasecca Celtic Civilisation (Northwestern Italy, 9th-4th century BCE)

Abstract

The analysis of archaeological cremations is a lengthy and complex process, primarily aimed at determining the biological profile of the individuals and reconstructing the funerary rituals practiced by the community. This goal is both ambitious and intricate, as cremated remains result from a series of actions and variables often unverifiable through the sole analysis of the archaeological record. Certain aspects can be inferred from qualitative characteristics of the burned bones, such as colour, which is often linked to the combustion temperature achieved. Other aspects can be deduced from quantitative data, such as the number of fragments and their weight. This study combines both approaches, employing qualitative criteria for the anatomical recognition of fragments and quantitative data regarding their weight. The research is driven by a specific question: Did the Golasecca Celtic Civilisation, like surrounding regions, place particular emphasis on the skull? Through the anthropological analysis of all the available Italian cremations (n 323) and the statistical analysis of the acquired data, this study addresses this question, revealing aspects otherwise invisible through exclusive qualitative or quantitative analysis. Additionally, the study considers the spatial analysis of the remains within ossuaries, hypothesizing the presence of a specific order in the deposition of skeletal parts within urns. This combination of methods has allowed for a deeper understanding of the ritual practices in the Golasecca culture, offering new perspectives on the management and significance of cremated remains. The comparison with contemporary Italian anthropological and archaeological data, as well as information available for the transalpine Celts, has further enabled the identification of this phenomenon within the broader context of Iron Age Europe, allowing us to hypothesize that the Golasecca Celtic Civilization performed rituals with a particular focus on the skulls of their deceased.