Archaeological Proof of an Abrupt Mortality Crisis: Simultaneous Deposit of Cadavers, Simultaneous Deaths?

Several parameters have to be taken into account when considering the archaeology of death, including the number of the dead, differentiation between ‘cremation’ or ‘incineration’ and ‘inhumation’ and between ‘primary deposits’ and ‘secondary deposits’. In the case of a primary deposit, the simultaneity of the deposits demonstrates ipso facto the simultaneity or close proximity in time of the deaths provided that there is the possibility of prolonged conservation, either by cold, desiccation, or a particular environment. In the case of secondary burials, simultaneous deposits in no way indicate simultaneous deaths. Archaeology helps demonstrate the synchronous deposition of the remains of several bodies. Dating methods are generally ineffectual in this context. In some circumstances the excavation uncovers determinative information. Biological analysis of skeletons may also provide valuable information. Finally, there remains the information from the excavation. The nature of the dead must also be taken into account. It can thus be seen that, in the absence of textual or epigraphic data, the archaeological demonstration of an abrupt mortality crisis is generally possible only when inhumations take place inside structures in which the remains of a large number of subjects are assembled within a restricted space.