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Between Life and Death: Continuing Bonds at Late Neolithic Tell Sabi Abyad, Syria
Croucher, Karina T. Plug, J.-H.
Croucher, Karina T.
Plug, J.-H.
Publication Date
2024-11
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(c) 2024 Sidestone Press. Full-text reproduced with publisher permission.
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Abstract
In this paper, we pay tribute to the career-long interest of Prof Peter Akkermans in the mortuary practices of prehistoric southwest Asia. It highlights the significant discovery of burial grounds at Tell Sabi Abyad and the diverse range of mortuary behaviours observed at this key Late Neolithic site. While traditional approaches to the treatment of the dead often focus on social status, this paper proposes a fresh perspective by examining the agency of the bereaved and the impact of their emotional needs on mortuary rituals.
Drawing on an extensive dataset of over 300 burials, the paper centres on a subset of burials from Tell Sabi Abyad I and III, dating back to the 7th and early 6th millennium BCE. In contrast to the typical interments, these burials reveal extended interaction with the deceased, involving bodily manipulation and close spatial proximity to the living.
In this paper, we delve into new interpretations of this evidence, shedding light on the emotional relationships between the living and the dead. We explore possible motivations behind maintaining a tangible connection with the deceased and examine whether such practices offer insights into experiences of grief and bereavement – dimensions often overlooked in archaeological analysis.
By incorporating emotion, sensory experiences, and mourning into the interpretation of mortuary evidence, in this paper, we aim to enrich our understanding of mortuary practices’ significance in southwest Asia’s prehistoric context.
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Croucher K and Plug J-H (2024) Between Life and Death: Continuing Bonds at Late Neolithic Tell Sabi Abyad, Syria. In: Düring BS and Plug J-H (Eds) The Archaeology of the 'Margins' Studies on Ancient West Asia in Honour of Peter M.M.G. Akkermans. 53 Analecta Praehistorica Leidensia. Leiden : Sidestone Press. Pp. 29-54.
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