halfburial
Halfburial is a term used in archaeology and forensic anthropology to describe a burial scenario in which only part of the human remains are interred in a grave. In a halfburial, portions of the skeleton may be missing, or the body may be deposited in such a way that not all parts are placed within a single grave cut or container. The incomplete nature of the deposit can result from intentional mortuary practices, post-depositional disturbance, or a combination of both.
There are several ways halfburials can arise. They may reflect ritual or social practices in which only
Interpretation of halfburials requires careful consideration of taphonomic processes, context, and associated artifacts. They are distinguished
See also: primary burial, secondary burial, incomplete skeleton, cremation, grave goods, mortuary practice.