Article Dans Une Revue Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports Année : 2025

The Roman way: Investigating the cremation conditions during the Roman period in Belgium using a multi-proxy and multi-sampling approach

Elisavet Stamataki
Kevin Salesse
Giacomo Capuzzo
Ioannis Kontopoulos
Marta Hlad
  • Fonction : Auteur
Sarah Dalle
Charlotte Sabaux
  • Fonction : Auteur
Barbara Veselka
Rica Annaert
Mathieu Boudin
  • Fonction : Auteur
Philippe Claeys
Amanda Sengeløv
  • Fonction : Auteur
Martine Vercauteren
  • Fonction : Auteur
Eugène Warmenbol
  • Fonction : Auteur
Britt Claes
  • Fonction : Auteur
Guy Destexhe
  • Fonction : Auteur
Sonja Willems
  • Fonction : Auteur
Guy De Mulder
  • Fonction : Auteur
Christophe Snoeck

Résumé

This study assesses cremation conditions in the Roman period using a multi-proxy analysis (FTIR-ATR and carbon and oxygen isotope analysis) on 332 burned bones from five Belgian Gallo-Roman cemeteries. The results suggest similar pyre structure, size, temperature, and body positioning across Gallo-Roman cremations. However, high variability in δ13C and δ18O values indicates differences in fuel selection and environmental factors. The wide δ13C range likely reflects the use of multiple wood types (e.g., Quercus sp./oak, F. sylvatica/beech) and different tree parts (e.g., trunk, branch, stump) in pyre construction. In contrast, δ18O variation may relate to quenching methods and/or seasonal and weather conditions during combustion. Differences were also observed in cremation conditions between the Metal Ages and the Gallo-Roman cremations from Belgium, with Roman cremations presenting better oxygen availability during combustion. Finally, the Gallo-Roman cemetery of Fouches is particularly interesting, as it dates to the Early Roman period and presents similarities in ventilation conditions with the cemeteries from the Metal Ages instead of the other Gallo-Roman cemeteries. The evidence from Fouches suggests a gradual transition from the Metal Ages to Roman cremation practices. The dating of Fouches to the Early Roman period could potentially explain that Roman cremation expertise was not immediately widespread but rather transferred gradually to the edges of the Roman Empire.

Dates et versions

halshs-05048107 , version 1 (26-04-2025)

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Citer

Elisavet Stamataki, Kevin Salesse, Giacomo Capuzzo, Ioannis Kontopoulos, Marta Hlad, et al.. The Roman way: Investigating the cremation conditions during the Roman period in Belgium using a multi-proxy and multi-sampling approach. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2025, 64, pp.105156. ⟨10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105156⟩. ⟨halshs-05048107⟩
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