The eastern orientation of Merovingian graves and the seasonal distribution of morbidity and mortality (using the Sasbach-Behans and Bischoffingen-Bigärten cemeteries as examples)

Fichter, George S.; Volk, P.

doi:10.1016/0047-2484(80)90042-1

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…;Gruber 1971, 67 ff. ; Wells & Green 1973;Hawkes 1976;1982, 48;Raths 1978;Fichter & Volk 1980;Clausen et al 2008, 222 ff. ;Hoskin 2009;Szücs-Csillik et al 2010, 326 ff.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Some Remarks on the Orientation of the Dead: Examples From Two East Lithuanian Barrow Cemeteries

Kurila¹

2013

Estonian J. Archaeol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Two east Lithuanian barrow cemeteries, Baliuliai and Peršaukštis Kasčiukai II, which date to the mid-5th century, are distinguished by a specific pattern of burial orientation. The head appears to generally lie to the west and northwest, which is entirely typical of east Lithuanian barrows. But a closer inspection shows an exceptional feature, i.e. the alignment of the deceased towards a single focal point near the cemetery. The present paper seeks to discuss if this spatial organization was intentional, and if so, what significance the focal point possessed and what views of the afterlife and social objectives might lie behind this mortuary treatment. The grave orientation in both cemeteries is examined, with a certain amount of criticism, in the light of the chronological and territorial contexts. The paper proposes a hypothesis that burial direction is a form of symbolic communication between the living and the dead as well as among the dead within a certain internment area. It suggests that an ancestral tradition was established and maintained through this grave orientation. And it also examines the astronomical framework of the burial directions.

show abstract

“…;Gruber 1971, 67 ff. ; Wells & Green 1973;Hawkes 1976;1982, 48;Raths 1978;Fichter & Volk 1980;Clausen et al 2008, 222 ff. ;Hoskin 2009;Szücs-Csillik et al 2010, 326 ff.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified