Dead and buried? Variation in post-mortem histories revealed through histotaphonomic characterisation of human bone from megalithic graves in Sweden

Abstract

This study investigates possible variation in post-mortem histories during the Neolithic period in southwestern Sweden based on microscopic studies of human bone. Numerous megalithic graves were built in this region and good preservation conditions have left a rich skeletal record. After more than a hundred years of research, it is still a controversy whether or not these skeletal assemblages were the result of primary burials, or ossuaries where skeletonized remains were deposited. In this study we apply histological analysis to obtain insights into post-mortem histories and taphonomic processes affecting the human remains, potentially including funerary rituals. This type of analysis records the condition and traces of degradation found in skeletal material at a microscopic level. Human skeletal material from four different megalithic tombs in the Falbygden area has been sampled and analysed by thin-section light microscopy, and by scanning electron microscopy. The results of the study provide evidence of variation and changes in burial conditions for skeletal remains from the different graves, also for remains from the same grave. Extent of bioerosion varied, from extensive to moderate/arrested, to none. Bone samples from the same graves also differed in the type of staining and mineral inclusions, showing that the non-bioeroded samples relatively early post-mortem must have experienced an anoxic environment, and later a change to an aerated environment. This could be taken as an indication of primary burial somewhere else, but more likely reflect a special micro-environment occurring temporarily in some graves and parts of graves after the tombs were filled with soil and sealed by roof slabs. The study illustrates the usefulness of bone histological analysis in the reconstruction of post-mortem histories, revealing variations not discernible at macro-level that may aid in the interpretations of funerary rituals. However, the results also highlight the issues of equifinality. Based on current data and knowledge, several scenarios are possible. Further histotaphonomic work is advisable, including archaeological remains from megalithic tombs, and bones from taphonomic experiments.

The Habitat of the Nascent Chicxulub Crater

“…8. Brightfield reflected light image of section of an altered human bone tunneled by cyanobacteria from Hollund et al (2018, Figure 6C) (image available via a Creative Commons Attribution License, CC BY). Scale bars on individual images.…”

Old bones or early graves? Megalithic burial sequences in southern Sweden based on 14C datings

“…In Scandinavia, the megalithic graves have been described as ossuaries where skeletonised remains were deposited and arrangement of bones was practiced (Hildebrand 1864;Midgley 2008;Shanks and Tilley 1982;Stensköld 2004), while other researchers have argued that they predominantly were used for primary burials (Ahlström 2009;Sjögren 2003;Strömberg 1971a;Weiler 1994). According to the most recent research, the megalithic graves in Sweden were predominantly used for successive inhumations of whole bodies, although cremations sometimes occurred and some variation of the treatment of buried individuals can be observed (Ahlström 2009;Hollund et al 2018;Sjögren 2015a, b;Strömberg 1968;Weiler 1994). Temporal change (Hollund et al 2018;Sjögren 2015a) as well as regional variation of burial practices must be considered.…”

“…According to the most recent research, the megalithic graves in Sweden were predominantly used for successive inhumations of whole bodies, although cremations sometimes occurred and some variation of the treatment of buried individuals can be observed (Ahlström 2009;Hollund et al 2018;Sjögren 2015a, b;Strömberg 1968;Weiler 1994). Temporal change (Hollund et al 2018;Sjögren 2015a) as well as regional variation of burial practices must be considered.…”

“…No similar finds of bark have yet been published from Swedish passage graves or found in dolmens and gallery graves. However, the number of available 14C datings on human remains have radically increased during the last decade (Bergerbrant et al 2017;Blank 2017;Blank et al 2018;Fornander 2011;Hollund et al 2018;Sjögren 2011Sjögren , 2015aTornberg 2018) enabling compilations of 14C dates of high quality. This study is based on 374 14C dates from unique individuals selected from a compilation of 499 14C dates on human remains and three dates on domestic animals, of which 158 were not previously published (Appendix 1).…”

50 years of scanning electron microscopy of bone—a comprehensive overview of the important discoveries made and insights gained into bone material properties in health, disease, and taphonomy

“…Detection of mineral inclusions such as manganese oxide, 201 pyrite, 202 calcite, 203 etc. reveal vital clues pertaining to the chemical and physical environments that the samples had been exposed to.…”