Gravgåvor

Gravgåvor, or grave offerings, are objects buried with a deceased person or placed nearby at burial, intended to accompany the dead in the afterlife or to indicate the deceased’s social status, wealth, or identity. The practice occurs across many cultures and time periods and is a central focus in archaeology and anthropology under the term grave goods.

Common grave goods include weapons and tools, pottery, personal adornments such as rings and beads, jewelry, coins, food or drink vessels, and sometimes animals or horses. In some cultures items were believed to aid the deceased in the afterlife, while in others they reflected rank, profession, or ancestral connections.

Cultural variation is wide. In European prehistoric and historic contexts, graves range from simple interments with a few items to richly furnished burials. Viking-age graves often contain swords, shields, helmets, jewelry, and other items signifying status. In ancient Egypt, tombs frequently contained extensive ritual objects, offerings, and grave goods intended to sustain the deceased in the afterlife.

Archaeologically, grave goods help researchers interpret social hierarchy, trade networks, beliefs about death and the afterlife, and regional practices. They are studied within controlled contexts, dated, and analyzed for provenance and cultural meaning.

In modern times, grave goods are studied under ethical and legal guidelines, with artifacts typically curated in museums. Looting and illegal removal from graves are criminal offenses in many jurisdictions, reflecting a shift toward preserving cultural heritage.