Investigating cremation practice in Early Iron Age central Macedonia, Greece, through a multi-proxy analysis

Cremation was a widespread practice in central Macedonia, Greece during the Early Iron Age (ca. 1050–700 BCE), yet the study of cremated bone deposits is still limited. This study investigates cremation practice in the cemeteries of Polichni and Nea Philadelphia, aiming to assess intra- and inter-site variability in burning conditions. To address this, the cremated skeletal remains from 14 urns from Polichni and 15 from Nea Philadelphia were examined macroscopically, and a total of 32 bone samples were analysed, combining Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and carbon (δ 13 C) and oxygen (δ 18 O) isotope analysis. On the local scale, results from both sites indicate expertise in pyrotechnology and a degree of standardization in cremation settings (e.g., burning intensity, pyre structure, oxygen availability). No sex-related differences were observed regarding the temperature achieved, the type and/or amount of fuelwood used, and oxidation conditions, though the presence of cyanamide exclusively in females at Polichni may reflect variations in the cremation microenvironment and the type of clothing worn by the deceased during combustion. In Polichni, infrared and isotopic analysis of double cremations placed in the same urn suggests that age-at-death may have influenced pyre size and body placement on the pyre, with some individuals likely cremated on separate pyres despite their common deposition. Inter-cemetery comparison reveals regional consistency in burning conditions, reflecting shared technical knowledge, as well as common cultural and ideological norms related to the way cremation was performed. These results highlight the value of integrating osteoarchaeological and analytical data to elucidate the technical, social, and symbolic aspects of cremation, offering a nuanced understanding of this funerary practice in the past.