Inhumation and cremation in medieval
Mongolia: analysis and analogy
Résumé
The authors study burials of the medieval period in westernMongolia shortly before the emergence
of Genghis Khan. They find that both inhumation and cremation are practised, with a variety
of accompanying rituals. Systematic micro-analysis of bone fragments on the one hand, and the
accounts of early travellers on the other, allow these researchers to propose detailed explanations
of mortuary practice in thirteenth century Altai that will be highly suggestive to prehistorians
working elsewhere.
of Genghis Khan. They find that both inhumation and cremation are practised, with a variety
of accompanying rituals. Systematic micro-analysis of bone fragments on the one hand, and the
accounts of early travellers on the other, allow these researchers to propose detailed explanations
of mortuary practice in thirteenth century Altai that will be highly suggestive to prehistorians
working elsewhere.