Tumulus

A tumulus is a constructed mound made of earth, stone, or a combination of materials, built over one or more burials. The word derives from Latin, meaning "mound" or "small hill". In English it is also called a barrow or burial mound.

This form of construction is not specific to any single culture. Diverse peoples with no direct connection to one another employed this practice, from the early Neolithic period through recorded history. The general reason given is that the mound creates a prominent, visible feature rising from the ground, serving as a memorial to those buried there.

Structure

Typically, a tumulus contains a burial chamber or grave beneath. The chamber may be built of large stones, wooden beams, or compacted earth. Once the burial is complete, earth is piled over it to form the mound. Some have a stone retaining wall around the perimeter to hold the earth in place. Sizes vary considerably: some mounds have a diameter of only a few meters, while others span hundreds of meters.

Contents

The deceased was usually accompanied by grave goods—pottery, weapons, gold, or work tools. These objects are archaeologists' primary evidence for determining the burial date, the deceased's economic status, and the community's trade connections. Some tumuli contain a single person, while others accumulated burials over centuries.

Modern investigation

Many tumuli have been excavated and destroyed since ancient times, losing their contents. Modern archaeology uses non-invasive methods such as ground-penetrating radar and aerial imaging before any excavation. Radiocarbon dating is also used when organic material is recovered.