Sacrificed animals in Iron Age cremations from Middle Sweden

Abstract

The investigation of cremated bones concems more than 450 burials from Iron Age burial grounds, 200-1000 AD. During this period of time, the amount of animal bones in the burials increases, both considering number of individuals and number of species. Some species are always cremated as complete carcasses together with the human being; others are represented only by certain parts of
the bodies. Some species might be mostly leftovers from grave meals, some could be food for the deceased, and some might be symbolic sacrificial gifts. Some combinations of species could be used to measure the social status of the deceased or to study religious changes during time.