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Transforming the ancestors: early evidence of fire-induced manipulation on human bones in the Near East from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B of Kharaysin (Jordan)

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Abstract

Cremation is an unusual burial practice in the Neolithic of the Near East. At Kharaysin, a Pre-Pottery Neolithic site in Jordan, we found a secondary burial with evidence of burnt human bones. This paper assesses (1) the intentionality of fire-induced alterations on human bones, (2) the pre-burning condition of the human remains, and (3) their significance within the burial customs of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic in the Near East. Burial SU-815 was a secondary multiple burial with burnt and unburnt human remains from at least three adult individuals. Directly dated at 8010 ± 30 BP (7058–6825 cal BC), it corresponds to the Late Pre-Potttery Neolithic B (LPPNB). Macroscopic changes in human remains were analysed to investigate the circumstances of burning. Some bones were selected for mineralogical and compositional analysis through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Colour changes, fractures, cracking, and chemical changes on bones were identified as resulting from fire-induced alterations. Our results show that the bones were intentionally burnt when they were already skeletonised or almost dry. This intentional manipulation using fire happened after other burial practices took place. After burning, the bones were collected and transported to this burial during a final episode. Fire-induced manipulation or cremation was not a significant development of the habitual burial practice, but evidence from Kharaysin shows an innovation in handling the human remains. Therefore, this case provides new insight into the complexity and variability of burial customs within the Late Pre-Pottery Neolithic B in Southern Levant.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the constructive criticisms of various reviewers, which have contributed significantly to the present paper. We also thank Claudio Cavazzuti for his helpful comments and suggestions.

Funding

The research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant HAR2016-74999-P) and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (European Commission, no. GA 750460; H2020-MSCA-IF-2016). This research was also funded by Palarq Foundation and Consejería de Educación CyL and FEDER BU291P18, BU022G18, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness CTQ2016-75023-C2-1-P, and Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities CTQ (QMC) RED2018-102471-T MultiMetDrugs Network and RTI2018-101923-J-I00.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Archaeology, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

    Jonathan Santana

  2. G.I. Tarha. Departamento de Ciencias Históricas, Universidad de las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Pérez del Toro s/n, Las Palmas de G.C., 35003, Spain

    Jonathan Santana

  3. Laboratorio de Evolución Humana. Departamento de Ciencias Históricas y Geografía., Universidad de Burgos, Facultad de Humanidades y Comunicación. Paseo de Comendadores, s/n, 09001, Burgos, Spain

    Eneko Iriarte

  4. Instituto Internacional de Investigaciones Prehistóricas de Cantabria, IIIPC (Gobierno de Cantabria, Universidad de Cantabria y Santander), Edificio Interfacultativo Avda. de los Castros,s/n, Santander, E-39005, Spain

    Luis C. Teira

  5. Departamento de Química, Universidad de Burgos, Facultad de Ciencias. Plaza Misael Bañuelos, s/n, 09001, Burgos, Spain

    Javier Garcia-Tojal

  6. Pontificia Facultad de San Esteban de Salamanca, Plaza Concilio de Trento s/n, 37001, Salamanca, Spain

    Juan Muñiz

  7. Archaeology of Social Dynamics, Milà i Fontanals Institution, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Egipcíaques 15, 08001, Barcelona, Spain

    Juan Jose Ibáñez

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  1. Jonathan Santana
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  2. Eneko Iriarte
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  3. Luis C. Teira
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  6. Juan Jose Ibáñez
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Correspondence to Jonathan Santana.

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Santana, J., Iriarte, E., Teira, L.C. et al. Transforming the ancestors: early evidence of fire-induced manipulation on human bones in the Near East from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B of Kharaysin (Jordan). Archaeol Anthropol Sci 12, 112 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01065-7

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