Old bones, new ideas: 14C-dating of cremated bones from late bronze age and early iron age urnfield cemeteries in Flanders

Recently a method has been developed and tested to date cremated bones using bio apatite. By using the cremated bones the human element is properly dated. From some cremations charcoal dates were also obtained to confirm the validity of the 14C-dates on bone. The traditional chronological framework for this period in Western Belgium was based on the study of the funerary pottery alone, since metalwork was scarce in the cemeteries. The typochronology was worked out in a comparison with the framework of the neighbouring regions and especially Central Europe. At the moment 14C-dates of 5 urnfield cemeteries are available. The dated graves were selected on base of cremation type, position in the cemetery, relation to funeral monuments. The traditional ideas about the urnfield period in the region have been challenged. First the chronological framework based on the pottery studies is open for discussion and needs to be reworked. The occupational history of some of the urnfields can be revised, especially the long term existence of the sites. The transition from the Middle Bronze Age to the Late Bronze Age and the appearance of the urnfield cemeteries starts earlier then expected until now. Also the end of this phenomenon is not limited to the transition of the Early Iron Age U+2013 Late Iron Age.

ISBN:9780956017932

Toegankelijkheid:Closed