engleski

Childhood in Late Bronze and Early Iron Age in southern Carpathian Basin

Anthropological analysis of cemeteries from the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age in the southern Carpathian Basin (Poljana Križevačka, Slatina, Belišće, Batina, Sotin, Dolina) revealed a large number of child burials. In our study, the term “child” is used for individuals younger than 20 years. Their biological age, estimated by standard anthropological methods, differs from their social age. The chosen cemeteries, dated from the 14th to the 7th century BC, are analysed in order to gain more information on burial practice. We shall analyse all the available evidence of burial practice such as body treatment, selection of the urn and grave goods, and body ornaments. One of the important questions is the change of identity from child to adult, and the way in which that transition was marked. Based on the available data, almost all children from the Late Bronze Age, were buried in their own graves as equal members of the community. Some of the child graves dated from the 14th to the 12th century, were exceptionally rich in grave goods which may indicate their life stage. In the 11th century, urns were chosen according to their size and shape, while in the 9th century some communities used organic recipients as a bone dispenser. From the 11th century, we can also find evidence of funeral feasts.

Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, childhood

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