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French

ID: <

10670/1.t55ra9

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Where these data come from
Funeral practices of the Second Iron Age in Western Gaule (Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Poitou-Charentes)

Abstract

In Brittany, the Loire and Poitou-Charentes, information about La Tène funerary practices are very variable from one region to the other, as well as in the individual regions themselves. During the 5th century B.C. (Ha D2-3 / Early LTA) Brittany counts numerous graveyards with incinerations, frequently closed in by square enclosures. The tombs (grave pits, stone casing and mounds) are sometimes accompanied with steles. Graves (cremation in urns, maybe inhumations) are seldom after the 4th century. Inhumations of the 1st century have been discovered in dunes near the sea. In the Loire and Poitou-Charentes, cremation or inhumation graves of the 5th century, (under barrows, in pits or inside enclosures) generally are individuals ones. From the Middle La Tène period onwards, incinerations and inhumations are known in the Loire. The rare Late La Tène burials in Poitou-Charentes are generally exceptional ones. The numerous enclosures sites with ditches of Poitou-Charentes, which have frequently been used till the Roman Imperial period, have rarely revealed human bones. Steles have been discovered on several of these sites. It is difficult to understand their funerary and/or religious nature. During the 5th century B.C., brooches are the more frequent grave goods, but sometimes isolated weapons, parts of wagons, harnesses or imported bronze vessels have also been found. More exceptional grave goods appear in the 2nd century: weapons, amphorae, bronze knife and razors, coins, animal bones. Sometimes human bones have been discovered in caves, in settlements or in sanctuaries. It is not sure that all result from funerary practices.

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