Mirusiųjų Deginimo Papročio Plitimas Rytų Lietuvoje: Naujas Chronologinis Modelis, Paremtas Radiokarboninio Datavimo Duomenimis

Abstract

The article discusses the model of the spread of cremation in the East Lithuanian barrow culture based on the data of radiocarbon dating. It proposes a review of the model established in literature that a wave of cremation spread from the south of the region to the north between the late 4th century AD and of the early 6th century AD. The stage of the earliest cremations can be dated to 248–335 cal AD, and the stage of the latest inhumations to 420–556 cal AD. This suggests that both inhumation and cremation were practised in Eastern Lithuania for about two centuries from the Late Roman period to the Late Migration period. The hypothesis that the practice of cremation spread from south to north is being corrected rather than refuted. While this process was quite sudden, it was due to the spread of a new tradition alongside the old rather than a wave of change regarding burial rites. Cremation spread early (c. 250–400 cal AD) in the northern part of the region and was an established practice alongside inhumation. The practice of cremation probably became prevalent earlier in Southeastern Lithuania. These processes are synchronous with the emergence of the horizon of the burials of chieftains and warriors in Eastern Lithuania, but the determination of an earlier date for this horizon provides grounds for new discussions about its historical, cultural, and social background. Keywords: radiocarbon dating, East Lithuanian barrows, burial customs, inhumation, cremation.

New Human Bone Radiocarbon Dates From the Roman Period–migration Period Lithuanian Cemeteries

“…In a few cases, previously radiocarbon dated samples were redated for the purpose of testing the possible variability of the results. Previously published (Kurila 2015) radiocarbon dates included in this study were recalibrated using the most recent IntCal20 curve (Reimer et al 2020).…”

“…The grave goods suggested that the burial belongs to the latest stage of inhumation in the region and to the period of shift to cremation, namely the second half of the 5th century AD. However, earlier radiocarbon dating yielded an older date than expected Poz-63954: 1750 ± 30 BP, 239-400 cal AD (Kurila 2015). Three more 14 C measurements were carried out on a sample from the same individual.…”

“…Remains of a juvenile female(?) (sex determined only by the grave goods) from barrow 7(10), the only inhumation to contain preserved bones, were dated Poz-63938: 1720 ± 30 BP, 250-411 cal AD (Kurila 2015). In this article, radiocarbon date of another sample from the latter burial is presented in the Results section.…”

“…Furthermore, some similarities of the finds attest to their possible contemporaneity to the female inhumations from Baliuliai. Previous radiocarbon dating of the barrow 2(11), female burial 2 gave the date Poz-63957: 1805 ± 30 BP, 132-340 cal AD (Kurila 2015(Kurila , 2020. In the course of the current project, another sample from the same burial was dated by performing three 14 C measurements on the same bone.…”

“…The dominant interpretation is that this was either a group of immigrants, or a local chieftain and his retinue who had participated in the wars which took place during the Migration Period. A sample of human bone from the chieftain's grave was previously radiocarbon dated Poz-63960: 1670 ± 30 BP, 257-530 cal AD (Kurila 2015). For this study two radiocarbon measurements from another sample were performed and dates for the other three individuals were obtained.…”