An anthropological study and model of cremation in the barrows of the Late Hallstatt necropolis at Bârsești (Romania)

Abstract This article discusses the barrow necropolis of the Late Hallstatt period at Bârsești, where numerous burial mounds have been researched. The resumption of excavations has brought new life to this archaeological site, including the bioarchaeological study of the remains discovered in the tumulus graves, intending to obtain as much information as possible to clarify the burial customs of the community of the Late Hallstatt period at Bârsești. The osteological material was found in four recently-excavated mounds (only three contained human remains) and five mounds that were investigated in the 1950s. The minimum number of individuals in the skeletal assemblage of these eight mounds was 16, of which 15 were certainly juveniles or adults. No subadult remains were identified. The masculinity index ( sex ratio ) was 2.33 (7 ♂: 3 ♀), indicating a possible imbalance between sexes. The skeletons are underrepresented. The number of fragments is variable, and the same applies to the weight. Remains from cranial and postcranial segments were identified in 12 and 15 individuals, respectively. Combustion took place at high temperatures (up to 900–1000ºC), until calcination, most likely in an oxidising atmosphere, soon after the death of the individuals, when the bones were in a “green” state (raw, fresh, moist), i.e. covered with muscles and integuments and with the full medullary canal, by the long exposure of the corpse to fire, probably by feeding the pyre with fuel. The poor representation of skeletons indicates the symbolic collection of remains from the extinguished pyre and their deposition in the burial pit directly on ancient soil or in vessels. There are a few faunal remains, with those identified as being without burn marks, and belonging to sheep, goats, and large mammals (probably cattle). To contextualise the funerary model at Bârsești within the regional framework, anthropological data from several contemporaneous necropolises are presented, including those at Ferigile, Tigveni, Cepari, Valea Stânii, Curtea de Argeș-“Rodovanu”, Trinca “Drumul Feteștilor”, and others. The analysis indicates that the funerary behaviour at Bârsești is distinctive, characterized by a necropolis primarily intended for young and middle-aged adults, with a predominance of male interments. It is postulated that for children, adolescents, and the elderly, the community probably used an alternative but as yet unidentified funerary space.