Thracian conception of death and funeral observance

Thracian conception of death and funeral observance remains unclear though we know many characteristics about their ways of thinking and views they had. These concepts formed their attitude to religion, cult and no less to life. One of the most spectacular expression of such beliefs are tumuli and cult buildings. lt is believed to be a sepulchre for departed - after death a tribal leader became a benefactory hero. He was believed to protect his tribe and in some cases Thracians used to attend well known sanctuaries of such heroes to engage prophecies. Of course, not all deceased became tacitly heroized ancestors but we suppose that they were buried according to such traditions (these tombs served more likely as family cult buildings, i.e. cult building at Propada). A small number of barrows was rebuilt in a cult complex as heraion, oracle etc .. They served as sanctuaries where mythical heroes (demigods) were worshiped. These sanctuaries (Sborjanovo, Miškova Niva etc.) were systematicaly planned according to Thracian principles and cosmology. Orphism and Pythagoreism partook heavily in these conceptions manifested in ground plans of tumuli and cult buildings, decoration and overal! design