Gold Mask Burials in Archaic Macedonia: Between Mortuary Practice and Social Performance

Abstract Gold mask burials constitute a remarkable cultural phenomenon linking diverse landscapes between the northern Aegean and the central Balkans. Their primary manifestation includes full-face masks and gold foils used to cover the body, accompanied by an ostentatious, largely standardized set of grave goods dating to the second half of the sixth century bce . The roots of this practice lie in earlier centuries, with modest gold sheets placed over the mouth. During the Late Archaic period, full masks and mouthpieces appeared in parallel, reflecting shared ritual traditions. This study traces the practice beyond the historical territory of the Macedonian kingdom, arguing against direct links to Macedonian ethnicity. By examining shared ceramic technology and settlement patterns, the paper suggests that the spread of this funerary custom was driven by medium- to large-scale mobility. This model favours fluid cultural interactions over the ‘heroic’ narratives of large-scale invasions or political expansions previously presumed to have occurred across these culturally diverse landscapes.