essay

Charnel houses and mortuary crypts: disposal of the dead in the Middle Woodland period

hopewell archaeology : the chillicothe conference • Kent, Ohio • Published In 1979 • Pages: 211-219

By: Brown, James Allison.

Abstract

Brown examines the differences between charnal houses and mortuary crypts. Charnel houses are found in Ohio while mortuary crypts are found among the Havana in Illinois. He defines the two types of burial facilities and points out that more effort is required to maintain charnel houses. 'Not only are the two associated with quite distinct forms of burial treatment, but the social uses of burial also differ….[The] difference..is a product of the size of the sustaining population investing in these facility types and, indirectly, a reflection of differences in the complexity of the associated societies.' (page 219).

HRAF PubDate

2004

Region

North America

Sub Region

Eastern Woodlands

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry ; 2003

Field Date

no date given

Coverage Date

Middle Woodland

Coverage Place

Illinois and Ohio; United States

Notes

James A. Brown

For bibliographical references see document 11: Brose and Greber

LCCN

79088607

LCSH

Hopewell culture