Anthropological Characteristics of the Crematory Graveyard in Schwiessel in Holstein.

Abstract

The work utilized the results of an analysis of burnt bones to discuss the existence of unisexual graveyards in northern Germany at the turn of the Bronze Age and Iron Age. Schwiessel is an example of a female graveyard. The author analysed also double graves from that particular graveyard. They were composed of remains of women and newborns. In order to prove the value of material from the Schwiessel graveyard for purposes other then the research on the burial ceremony, the author presented and discussed her observations concerning osteopathology, variability of epigenetic traits and the so-called Harris lines. From those observations one can draw many interesting conclusions on the biological state and ecology of prehistoric populations.