INHUMATION AND INCINERATION IN EUROPE. 



By the Marquis de Nadaillac. 1 



All known facts show that in Europe inhumation and incineration, two such 

 different methods of disposing of the human body, were in use at the same time 

 among the same peoples during the age of iron, the age of bronze and, in some cases, 

 even during the neolithic period. 



The Iberians, the oldest inhabitants of Western Europe, buried their dead and 

 punished notable criminals by the cremation of their bodies. 



The Gauls burnt slaves, dependents and horses that they might follow their 

 master into the life beyond. 2 



In the glorious days of Rome cremation was general. In the eyes of the 

 aristocracy, however, the destruction of the human body by fire was a humiliation. 

 By burial this aristocracy distinguished itself from the lower classes and from peoples 

 subjected by conquest. We know that Sylla, of the illustrious Cornelia gens, was the 

 first of his race to be cremated. 



It is now generally admitted that the rapid extension of cremation was due to 

 the Celts. We find it from Greece to England, from Etruria to Poland and Russia. 

 Bodies were burnt and those who were not rich enough to have the entire body 

 cremated, contented themselves with burning the head and the arms — hence partial 

 cremation. 3 



But everywhere the two rites are side by side. Here, inhumation is the most 

 employed ; there, cremation. Why this difference among the same people, at the 

 same epoch, in the same place of sepulture ? Does it imply a diversity of origin, 

 of caste, of social or religious condition ? 



The answer to this question is impossible in our present state of knowledge. 

 Moreover, it should be different according to the country, the people, the epoch 

 under consideration. Everywhere different influences have acted under different 

 surroundings. 



Brittany offers a striking example. The dolmen of Mt. St. Michel and the 

 dolmen of Tumiac are but a short distance apart; both date from the neolithic 

 period ; they were built by the same race, probably during the same epoch. At St. 

 Michel we find incineration ; 4 at Tumiac, inhumation. 5 



1 Translated by C. B. 'Moore. 



2 Caesar, De Bello Galileo, L. VI, C. XIX ; L. I, C. XIV ; L. VII, C. III. 



3 Handbuch der Deutschen Mythologie — d'Arbois de Jubainville, Rev. Arch. 1891, Mar. — April. 



4 R. Galles, Report sur lesfouilles du Mont St. Michel en Carnac. 



5 L. Galles, Fan Hie* du tumulus de Tumiac en Arzon. 



