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The Ins and Outs of Death in the Iron Age: Complex Funerary Treatments at B roxmouth Hillfort, East Lothian
Author(s) -
Armit Ian,
Neale Naomi,
Shapland Fiona,
Bosworth Hannah,
Hamilton Derek,
Mckenzie Jo
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
oxford journal of archaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1468-0092
pISSN - 0262-5253
DOI - 10.1111/ojoa.12003
Subject(s) - midden , archaeology , iron age , archaeological evidence , history , range (aeronautics) , geography , ancient history , composite material , materials science
Summary Evidence for Iron Age funerary treatments remains sporadic across B ritain and formal cemeteries are especially elusive. One important exception is B roxmouth hillfort, East Lothian, excavated during the late 1970s but not yet published. New analysis of the human remains from B roxmouth provides evidence for three distinct populations: a formal cemetery outside the hillfort, isolated graves within the ramparts, and a scatter of disarticulated fragments from a range of domestic and midden contexts. The latter group in particular provides significant evidence for violent trauma; isotopic evidence suggests that they may be the remains of outsiders. Together the human remains shed light on complex and changing attitudes to death and the human body in Iron Age B ritain. The material from B roxmouth is considered in the light of emerging evidence for fluid and pluralistic treatments of the dead in the Iron Age of south‐east Scotland.