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 certain parts of the body are deposited during a single event, or they may occur when a grave is disturbed by later activity, animal intrusion, or reuse of a grave later in time. Halfburials are typically identified in the field by the presence of an incomplete skeleton within a burial context, or by skeletal elements found in association with the site but not forming a contiguous, fully articulated skeleton.

Interpretation of halfburials requires careful consideration of taphonomic processes, context, and associated artifacts. They are distinguished from complete primary interments, in which the entire body is buried together, and from secondary burials, where remains are moved post-decomposition. While they can offer insights into mortuary practices and site formation, halfburials also pose challenges for understanding individual life histories and cultural meaning without additional contextual evidence.

See also: primary burial, secondary burial, incomplete skeleton, cremation, grave goods, mortuary practice.