Reflections on water: funerary practice and symbolism at the Bronze Age site of Xiaohe

Abstract The Bronze Age Xiaohe site allows for detailed archaeological analysis of funerary practices due to exceptional organic preservation in a hyperarid environment. Burials feature boat-shaped coffins, cattle skulls and hides, and grave markers resembling paddles and mooring posts. Material remains and environmental data indicate a deep cultural connection to water. The intentional inversion of burial elements suggests a conceptualization of an otherworld as a mirrored realm of the living. This article revisits early interpretations of Xiaohe burial practice and underscores the importance of considering symbols within broader cultural and environmental contexts, while providing interpretations rooted in data.