Pre-Roman Iron Age inhumations: a multi-proxy analysis of a burial complex from Tallinn, Estonia

Abstract

This article presents the results of a multi-proxy study conducted on a triple burial found at a settlement site at Pärnu Road 41, Tallinn, Estonia, dating to 405–360 cal BC (Pre-Roman Iron Age). Through archaeological and chemical analyses, including AMS dating, archaeobotany, osteology, stable isotope analysis, lipid analysis, metallography and XRF analysis, this study proves valuable insights into the provenance, diet, and burial practices of the woman and children buried in the grave at Pärnu Road 41. The stable isotope analysis of strontium, carbon and nitrogen suggests that the individuals were of local origin and did not travel long distances during their lifetime. It is likely that the diet of the woman was mainly based on terrestrial protein, which is also supported by lipid analysis performed of pot sherds. These results correspond with the dietary stable isotope values of individuals from Estonia dated to the second half of the Bronze Age and the Pre-Roman Iron Age. Based on the find context of carbonized grains, the partial burning of the female skeleton and the fire pit built contemporaneously above the grave, it is likely that grains and fire could have played an important role in inhumation burials. However, because of the scarcity of inhumation burials in pit graves, it is unclear whether or not the triple burial at Pärnu Road 41 represents a widespread burial practice alongside the stone graves typical of this period. Moreover, it is possible that the observed rituals are linked to foreign customs, as the buried individuals may have had familial ties to immigrants from different regions of eastern Europe, as indicated by a unique bronze bell-pendant found in the grave. This study also introduces the discovery of the earliest known iron smithing site in Estonia. Spherical magnetic droplets found within the burial soil were proven to be hammer scales, formed as a by-product of iron working. The appearance of hammer scales in the soil of a burial dated to the 4th century BC challenges the previously established timeline of iron working in the region.