| Catelijne I. Nater |
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Figure 8. The amount of individuals buried in each container, sorted per sex.
have been more burials from east to west than those that were found, because determination of orientation was not possible for all graves. Alternatively, it is possible that not much notice was given to the location or orientation of burial. Yet, this would be surprising, since several sources mention the importance of burial locations in the Middle Ages( Binski 1996, 34; Daniell 1997, 79; Effros 1997, 4-5; Parker Pearson 1999, 14; Treffort 1996, 153; 174). It seems more likely that people were buried at certain locations and in certain ways for a reason. This study suggests that there were small differences in the treatments of males and females, and clear differences in the popularity of different locations around the church. Some practices in Reusel were in accordance with those in other medieval societies, although others were clearly different. It confirms the existence of local variation in burial practices in this period. Apparently, people from local communities could, to a certain extent, give their own interpretation to Christian rituals.
Conclusion The study shows that several patterns appear in the distribution of graves and individuals across the cemetery. Some of these are similar to burial practices at other medieval sites, but some are different. The most remarkable patterns are the following:- The eastern side of the cemetery was the most densely populated area. This is also the location where almost all ladder coffins were found.- Males and females were buried unsegregated. Females were also buried in places that were considered important.- All burials are approximately orientated from west to east, except for three graves on the eastern side of the church, which are orientated from east to west. At least one of these was a woman.
The aforementioned patterns suggest that social differences between individuals were expressed by burial at different parts of the cemetery, and by burial in different types of graves and orientations. Only ladder coffins seem to have been reserved for particular people, and males and females were treated in a similar way. The clustering of ladder graves and the priest-like burial of females is unlike practices from other medieval cemeteries. The exact reasons for this variation are difficult to grasp. They could be related to a variety of reasons, including the period that the cemetery was in use or the wealth of the village. Although this study has answered some questions regarding medieval burials in the south of the Netherlands, it also raises new ones. Future research will help to acquire a better picture of medieval burial ritual, its social meaning, and local variations.
Acknowledgements The author would like to thank Frans Theuws and Andrea Waters-Rist for their support, as well as colleagues at the laboratory, friends and family for their feedback and help. Furthermore, the author would like to thank the Editorial Board and the peer reviewer for their useful feedback.
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Binski, P., 1996. Medieval Death. Ritual and Representation. London: British Museum Press. p. 12 | VOL II | INTER-SECTION | 2016