Les matériaux organiques dans le rituel funéraire du premier Âge du Fer

L’apport exceptionnel des découvertes anciennes conservées au Musée Historique de Haguenau

Abstract

Organic Materials in Early Iron Age Funerary Rituals. The Exceptional Contribution of Ancient Finds Preserved in the Musée Historique de Haguenau
For a long time, our knowledge of protohistoric funerary practices was based on an appreciation of the furniture, the finesse of the metallurgical work and the typological changes associated with the artefacts deposited in the burials. However, the development of archaeological methods of analysis has considerably advanced our understanding. Textile research is one of the areas of investigation that has significantly changed our understanding of burial rituals in the Metal Ages.

There are now numerous examples of objects being wrapped in burial containers, including situlae and other bronze jugs, items of jewellery and toiletries, razors, weapons, furniture and chariot parts when bodies were accompanied by a vehicle. This practice was widespread in Protohistory over a large geographical area north of the Alps, and there are eloquent examples in eastern France. The ancient collections that have been re-examined as part of recent and ongoing projects bear ample witness to this. These initiatives are helping to raise their profile by bringing them into line with emerging trends in current research. Ancient collections have much to contribute to our knowledge.