Pompous ladies and guarded children – Early Iron Age special burials at Dürrnberg ‘Eislfeld’ (Austria)

Abstract

The Dürrnberg ‘Eislfeld’- necropolis was intermittently excavated from 1963–2003. One of the largest and most important cemeteries of the northern alpine salt centre, the ‘Eislfeld’ is characterized by the size and abundancy of grave furnishings. Similar to other Dürrnberg sites, the cemetery includes vertical sequences of grave chambers, and various multiple and secondary burials. 110 graves contained 194 buried individuals, with 84 females and 56 males as indicated by anthropological analysis. The cemetery was in use from Ha D1 until LT B1 with a focus in Ha D2/3 and LT A. Predominant inhumations are complemented by cremations, the relics of two pyres, and drystone remains of funeral architecture. Regular grave goods include food and drink, iron knives, jewellery, and some weaponry. Some female and children burials stand out with regard to exclusive grave goods including gold jewellery, imported vessels, cult items, and amulets. Burial mounds of considerable size conveyed power and wealth and promoted communal identity

Keywords

• hallstatt period
• la tène period
• cemetery
• infant burial
• female burial
• gender
• identity
• cult
• cultural appropriation