Decoding Natufian mortuary practices through the taphonomy of an experimental burial

The intentional burial of the dead emerged around 120,000 years ago, but it was with the Levantine Natufian culture (ca. 15 ka BP) that we see stone-constructed graves in designated burial sites. The Natufian investment of effort and resources prompts an inquiry into the motivations for such elaborate burials. This paper addresses this by presenting an experimental burial of a wild boar in a Natufian-like grave. The experiment provides data on post-depositional processes characteristic of such graves and offers insights into the potential incentives for their construction. The experiment demonstrated that while a constructed grave offers protection, the decomposition, gravity, and larval activity induce various modifications to both the grave and its content, including changes in shape and size and stone and bone displacement. We conclude that Natufian mortuary practices reflect a deep understanding of postmortem changes, which drove them to construct graves primarily for the protection of their dead. The demanding challenges and time constraints of postmortem bodily modifications emphasized the need for a robust social network. Only through collective effort and shared ritual engagement could Natufians manage the complex treatment of their dead and their grave construction. These dynamic mortuary practices actively contributed to the formation and development of their social structures and networks.