Jean-Christophe Galipaud
Urn Burials and Shared Beliefs during the Neolithic and Metal Age in Southeast Asia
ABSTRACT
Urn burials are an important innovation in the Neolithic of SEA and ISEA. The appearance of new primary or secondary inhumations practices in urn, but also the potentially strong symbolic significance of pottery will be discussed. We believe that pottery and its use in burial contexts hint at a new rapidly spreading belief system during the Neolithic period across much of Southeast Asia. We also believe that these innovations are related to the development of networks of collectors of natural ressources for the Chinese and Indian market as early as 3000BP.