Experimentella kremationsbal : Experimentella kremationer. Hur balets struktur paverkar kremeringsprocessen

This thesis investigates what impacts differential structural designs of cremation pyres have on the process of cremation. The aim is to, by experimental cremations and an actualistic approach, find out probable causations for properties of prehistoric cremains. Thereby be able to make informative theories about the properties of the pyre and the society, religion and individuals behind them. The experiments examined the effects of firewood size, structure and relative placement of the cremation body to the pyre. There were ten experimental pyres with 20 litres of birchwood and 400 grams of cattle marrowbone. A wider width of the firewood makes for longer cremation time, more predictably and harder calcined the cremation body. The structures tested were pyramid, log house and a mix of the two called inverted hybrid. The bone fragments left after cremation with the inverted hybrid were few and heavy compared to log house. It produces fewer and heavier fragments than the pyramid. The pyramid cremates the most unevenly colour wise. The inverted pyramid makes for the most evenly and calcined fragments. Placing the cremation body inside of the pyre results in higher fragmentation and lower weight than placing it on top of the pyre.