Archaeological natural cemeteries?

Subtitle:A perspective study

Following the example of our neighbouring countries, a decree modified in 2016 allowed the establishment of natural graveyards in Flanders. At first there were mainly concerns from heritage care regarding possible impact on well-preserved archaeological heritage in forest and nature. Soon however it appeared there are also opportunities. In Flanders, a largely secularized society, there is a need for parting rituals in a secular worldview with ecological values and ideals. Burial in a traditional and monumental graveyard does not fit in with these values. As an alternative option, natural burial meets this need as well as the trend for greener and more sustainable cemeteries in the policy for public space in Flemish towns and villages. A return to nature with a biodegradable urn, like stipulated by Flemish legislation, is very similar to pre- and protohistoric traditions of urn burials or the scattering of ashes. However, there are almost no distinct examples making this link. The question if such a connection could prove meaningful, was the starting point of a study whether archaeological sites could be turned into natural graveyards in Flanders. Archaeology and nature could be joined in an archaeological natural burial ground. There are approximately one thousand five hundred registered pre- and protohistoric funerary sites in Flanders, hundred thirty-five of which are located on grounds owned by the Nature and Forest Agency (ANB). This Agency tracks and co-ordinates the installation of natural burial grounds in Flanders. As the experience value is crucial, the study focuses on sites with visible relics. Three cases with preserved or reconstructed
burial mounds were thoroughly researched. A participative study with primary stakeholders treated heritage and natural values, actual possibilities for the design and the actual management of the sites. It appeared from the study that the installation of a natural cemetery near an archaeological funeral site could strengthen the link with archaeological heritage, increase the support base and thus guarantee the care and preservation. Smart management combines the preservation and development of natural values while maintaining and opening archaeological sites. This way it would be possible to give part of our funerary heritage a responsible and meaningful place in our society of today and to ensure a connection with a quickly changing worldview in the future.

Publication year:2022

Keywords:Natural burial, archaeology, burial mound, prehistory