Reconstructing the Social Behavior of the Neolithic Societies in the Near East from the Perspective of Death and Mortuary Rituals
| Project/Area Number |
22K13236
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Review Section |
Basic Section 03050:Archaeology-related
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| Research Institution | University of Tsukuba |
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Principal Investigator |
Jammo Sari 筑波大学, 人文社会系, 研究員 (80929167)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-04-01 – 2025-03-31
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| Project Status |
Granted (Fiscal Year 2022)
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| Budget Amount *help |
¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000)
Fiscal Year 2024: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
Fiscal Year 2023: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Fiscal Year 2022: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000)
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| Keywords | Neolithic Period / Pottery Neolithic Period / Funerary practices / Skull removal / Household / Funerary Rituals / Social Organization / Household Autonomy |
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| Outline of Research at the Start |
The burial location and mortuary rituals in the Near East witnessed significant changes during the transition from the pre-pottery Neolithic period to the Pottery Neolithic period. The burials were associated with residential areas and many of them have their skull removed. However, during the PN period, skull treatments have sharply decreased, and the burial location shifted from indoors to outdoors. This research will attempt to explain the decline in the practice of skull removal by focusing on the changes in the social structure of the PN society which is based on a household system.
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The transition from Pre-Pottery Neolithic B and Pottery Neolithic periods underwent remarkable changes in funerary practices. Skull removal and decoration practices were widely prevalent in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic. It is suggested that these ritual practices reflect public rituals and were considered part of the social system. However, in the succeeding Pottery Neolithic period, these funeral practices sharply decreased and limited evidence was uncovered from Central/ southeastern Anatolia and Northern Levant. Investigations at PN sites indicate that the decline in these practices is attributed to changes in social structure in society which is based on a household system. A small number of households have practiced this custom on an individual basis which leads to its decline.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
There were minor changes in the plan for FY2022 related to oversea travel to Toronto Univ. in Canada to collect required data. However, I tried not to delay the progress of the research. Instead, I spent sufficient time in excavation at Jarmo Neolithic site in Iraqi-Kurdistan. Excavations reveal skeletal remains of at least 4 children and necessary studies were conducted in the field. The result of the research was presented at an international symposium at ASOR Annual Meeting 2022 in USA, and in Japan during The 30th Annual Meeting of Excavations in West Asia. Further, two academic papers have been published in English. In addition, a manuscript was submitted to the proceedings of the 30th annual meeting of excavations in West Asia.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The research plan will be carried out as scheduled. There is a plan to participate in the following international and domestic conferences: ① 13th International Congress on the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East at Copenhagen University ② ASOR Annual Meeting 2023 in USA ③ 31th Annual Meeting of Excavations in West Asia. Also, there is a plan to participate in the excavation at Jarmo Neolithic site in Iraqi-Kurdistan at the beginning of Summer. Excavation will be conducted and I will continue studies on burials excavated last season.
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Report
(1 results)
Research Products
(8 results)
