The Cro-Magnons had elaborate burial practices that reflect their beliefs in an afterlife. They buried their dead in tombs that were often lined with stones and covered with earth or rocks. The bodies were often placed in a flexed position, with the knees drawn up to the chest. Grave goods, such as tools, weapons, and jewelry, were often buried with the deceased.
The Cro-Magnons also practiced secondary burial. This involved removing the body from the grave after a period of time and placing it in a different location, such as a cave or a rock shelter. This practice may have been motivated by a belief that the soul needed to move on to the afterlife.
Cave Burials
Some of the most well-known Cro-Magnon burials are located in caves. These caves are often decorated with paintings and engravings, which may have had a religious or symbolic significance. The bodies of the deceased were often placed in niches or crevices in the cave walls. Grave goods, such as tools, weapons, and jewelry, were often buried with the deceased.
Open-Air Burials
The Cro-Magnons also buried their dead in open-air locations, such as cemeteries or fields. These burials were often less elaborate than cave burials, but they still reflect the Cro-Magnons' beliefs in an afterlife. The bodies were often placed in shallow graves, and grave goods were often buried with the deceased.