“From the Grave They Shall not Rise!”
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Irregular or deviant burials, i. e. cases of sepulture divergent from the usual burial rite, are well known from many cultures. Based on a review of numerous published burial sites, the existence of similar practices can now be documented for ancient Mesopotamia of the 3 rd to 1 st millennium BCE as well. Unusual features include absence or dislocation of skull or limb bones, partial burning, burial in prone position, and complete disarticulation. While a part of these may go back to disturbance or secondary reburial, perimortal violence, or ritual removal of bones, certain body manipulations such as skeletal mutilation, fettering, and covering with stones may be explained as arrangements against the return of the dead, comparable to similar practices against alleged revenants and vampires in other cultures.
Source: Altorientalische Forschungen
Author: Leif Inselmann
Institution: Freie Universität Berlin
Language: English
Topic: Ancient Near East History
Subfield: Archeology
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,712
OpenAlex ID: W4416751349