Navigating the Flames: Comparative Analysis of Cremation Practices in the Roman and Early Medieval Periods at Gbely‐Kojatín (SK) and Přítluky (CZ)

ABSTRACT Cremation became the dominant funerary practice in the Middle Danube Region during the Roman Period (RP) (1st–4th century) and reappeared in the Early Medieval Ages (EMA) (6th/7th–8th century). This study aims to reconstruct differences in cremation conditions from the Gbely‐Kojatín site (Slovakia, RP and EMA) and the Přítluky site (Czech Republic, EMA) through FTIR‐ATR (IRSF, C/C, OH/P, and BPI) and carbon and oxygen isotope (δ 13 C and δ 18 O) analyses of cremated remains. The findings suggest that Gbely‐Kojatín (RP) exhibited higher levels of heat intensity and more controlled practices, whereas Přítluky revealed lower levels of heat intensity with greater variability. Gbely‐Kojatín (EMA) exhibited intermediate values, indicating potential deviations or alternative cremation strategies. Results demonstrate that technological differences in cremation between sites and periods were shaped primarily by ritual and pyre management, rather than environmental factors.