The Burial Orientations

Two burial orientations have been observed in the lone excavation unit of 4x6 meters where we have uncovered as of now, 5 burials in various states of preservation.


Burials 1, 2, and 3 were in an East-West orientation, head at East, feet at West, as if to travel towards the sea (on the western side of this unit).

Burial 3 in the East-to-West orientation.

Alas, Burials 4 and 5 are in the opposite direction. What makes it all the more intriguing is that Burial 4 almost touches the cranium or skull of Burial 2. Moreover, Burial 5, that of a child of perhaps not more than 4 or 5 years old, appears to have been buried simultaneously with Burial 4, whose left femoral section abuts but does not disturb the position of Burial 5.

Burials 1, 2, 4, and 5.

Burials 1 and 4, with skulls nearly touching each other and oriented in opposite directions.

Burial 5, a very young inhumation, was probably buried simultaneously with Burial 4. Note the small pot on the right femur of Burial 4. A small iron tool, not visible in this photo, was also worn on the right hip region of Burial 4. Burials 5 has no cultural materials associated with it so far.