Mortuary practices as examined in the Hušnjakovo brdo site

Usporedo s pojavom simbolike, javlja se i ritus pokapanja kao jedan od najbitnijih aspekata modernog ponašanja. Iako su sigurni dokazi za pokope vidljivi tek u razdoblju gornjeg paleolitika, postoje indikacije da su već prakticirani od razdoblja srednjeg paleolitika za vrijeme Homo neanderthalensisa. Ovaj rad bavi se problematikom pojave ritusa pokapanja, evolucije istog i mjesta pokapanja. Nabrojani su najvažniji lokaliteti na kojima postoje dokazi koji upućuju na namjeran pokop. Naglasak je stavljen na lokalitet Hušnjakovo Brdo u Krapini, kao lokalitet s najviše ostataka kostiju neandertalaca u Europi. Rasprava obuhvaća mogućnost prakticiranja kanibalizma, sekundarnog ukopa ili pokopa na temelju trauma na pronađenim kostima.Alongside with the appearance of the symbolism, the buriying ritual arises as one of the most important aspects of modern behaviour. Even though the earliest conclusive evidence for burial can be found in the Upper Palaeolithic period, there are indications of it being practiced as early as the Homo neanderthalensis period. This paper addresses the complexity of ritual burial, its evolution, and burial sites, while listing the most important locations where evidence of intentional burial can be found. Hušnjakovo brdo in Krapina is the main focus as the site where the most bone fragments of neanderthals were found in Europe. Argument includes the possibility of canibalism practice, secondary burial or burial based on bone trauma on discovered bone