Pottery from burial sites in the early metal period in lithuania

Pottery from Burial Sites in the Early Metal Period in Lithuania Pottery is the most occuring archeological material not only of the researched period of the 2nd millennium BC-1st century AD, but other periods as well. This continuous tradition of production and usage, which spans over a period of several millennia is an exhaustive source, which allows an insight into the lifestyle of communities of the Late Prehistoric, their burial rituals, their worldview and their spirit of the age. During the time of the research it turned out, that out of the 50 known burial sites of the early metal period in 37 of those burial sites pottery dating that period were found, next to the skeletal or burned remains. Out of the 37 selected burial sights, in context to the graves, pottery were found in 17 barrow cemeteries, 16 cemeteries, 3 graves and 1 burial site. After evaluating the pottery visually and after performing a contextual analysis of the early metal period barrow cemeteries, data was gathered about the two functional vessels – the urns and cups, gathered, in context to gravesites. The urns were meant for the placement of bones of the cremated dead, the cups functioned possibly as other tools of the burial ritual, like the holding of food or drinks and as tool carrying charred bones or ember over from the funeral fire. Together with these vessels certain fragments of grave goods can be found. There are known cases, when the pottery functioned as grave goods. Technological and morphological parameters of the pottery were analysed more deeply using the visual method. Using this method it was revealed that in the period in question the poor burning quality of pottery, fragmentation and a prelevance of tempered crushed granite as an admixture in the clay mass was prevalent. The heigth among the known urns varies from 13–14 cm to 50 cm. The largest urns were found in the barrow cemeteries of Stanaičiai and Kernavė. Meanwhile, the cups reached a moderate heigth, around 8 cm. In the burial sights of the early metal period there are pottery goods found, which still have a handle. These types of vessels are exclusive found in the western region of Lithuania. The data of the research revealed the usage of the brushed, grained as well as smooth surface pottery during the funeral rites. There are also known cases, when the surface of the vessels could have been decorated in two different ways or even have signs of ornaments