An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s5.20

v1.c9.s5.20

The only way of disposing of the dead among Mesolithic communities known to us is inhumation. Both in rock-shelters and at open-air sites the dead were buried within the habitation area. At SARAI NAHAR RAI all the skeletons were found buried in an extended form in a w.-e. orientation and with the right forearm placed diagonally across the abdomen. The only burial from Phase I at BAGOR was similarly disposed. Some of the burials from the earlier phase at BHIMBETKA were also placed in an extended form with legs slightly folded. A burial from a rock-shelter at MORHANA PAHAR was also laid in an extended position, and the rock floor was dressed to provide raised floors for the head and feet. At LANGHNAJ all the burials were laid in a flexed position with both legs and arms tightly folded. A burial from one of the rock-shelters at BHIMBETKA was also similarly laid. All the three burials from Phase II at BAGOR were laid in a crouched position. There is also evidence of partial secondary burials. At LEKHAHIA as many as 17 burials were found in a shelter within a very thin deposit, and all the skeletons were incomplete. Several burials from the BHIMBETKA shelters comprise only a few bones and are obviously examples of secondary burials.