Die Toten der spätneolithischen Tellsiedlung von Okolište / Bosnien-Herzegowina: Massaker, Seuche oder Bestattungsbrauch?

Abstract

The following paper deals with the human skeletal remains of at least 14 individuals that were found during excavations in 2004 and 2006 in one of the surrounding ditches of the late Neolithic tell settlement of Okolište / Bosnia-Herzegovina. Based on the archaeological findings and the anthropological analysis it is proposed that these human remains are rather not the outcome of specific burial practices but have to been seen in connection with a short-termed, though not punctuated event. However, it is not very likely that the dead are casualties of warlike operations; instead, we think it more probable that they fell victim to some kind of epidemic or famine. However, because of the poor preservation of bone in other parts of the ditch, it cannot be ruled out completely that the skeletal remains were the result of some kind of yet unknown burial practice.