Burying the Dead and Keeping the Living Close: Burials and Spatial Location in the Epi-Paleolithic and Neolithic of the Levant

Neolithic societies in the Levant exhibited significant shifts in burial practices and spatial location, transitioning from burying the dead within settlement boundaries to crowded outdoor cemeteries. This shift, observed during the transition from the Late Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) to the Pottery Neolithic (PN) period, reflects social changes such as increased household autonomy and diversity in burial contexts. The study investigates this chronological shift by analyzing the spatial context of burials and their association with communal activities, revealing a complex interplay between ritual practices and memory reinforcement. The research highlights how these changes were intertwined with broader societal transformations during the Neolithic period.

JAMMO, S. (2022). Burying the Dead and Keeping the Living Close: Burials and Spatial Location in the Epi-Paleolithic and Neolithic of the Levant. Orient, 57(0), 93–112. https://doi.org/10.5356/orient.57.93