A Nyíregyházi Jósa András Múzeum évkönyve 43. (Nyíregyháza, 2001)

Régészet - László Szathmáry: Anthropological examinations on Early Bronze Age cremated human skeletal remains

Kora bronzkori urnaleletek embertani vizsgálata Anthropological examinations on Early Bronze Age cremated human skeletal remains The main purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the human cremated bones found in two Early Bronze Age urns. From the analysis of the skeletal remains of a Carei (Nagykároly) - Bobald male (Sanisläu/Szaniszlo Group), who died at the age of 30-55, and those of a Debrecen-Köntöskert female (Makó culture), who died at a young age (between 18 and 25 years of age), we could also draw conclusions applicable to all cremated human skeletal remains dating back to almost the same age dug up in the area beyond the River Tisza. The urn burials excavated in the aforementioned area examined previously (Gáborján-Csapszékpart, TiszavasváriVárosföldje-Jegyzőtag, Tiszavasvári-Dankó tanya, Vencsellő-Kastélykert) were also characterised by the medium level of cremation and the lack of teeth. The absence of teeth was remarkable and could not be explained without presuming a deliberate selective intention. It could be reconstructed that the centre of heat had been located under the trunks in almost all the cases. Therefore the remains of the skulls were burnt out on a lower level. The cremation of the limbs showed bilateral differences, which might have referred to the primary and secondary positions of the cadavers. Translated by the author László SZATHMÁRY Vasvári Pál Museum Tiszavasvári H-4440, Pf. 56. University of Debrecen Department of Human Biology Debrecen H-4010 Pf. 6. e-mail: szathmary@tigris.klte.hu