HOUTGEBRUIK IN HET VROEG-MIDDELEEUWSE GRAFRITUEEL IN NOORD-NEDERLAND

Samenvatting

Botanical analysis of the charcoal of cre­mation graves of the early medieval ceme­tery of Hogebeintum (5th-8th century) in­dicates in the first place the use of Alnus, Fraxinus and Quercus, but also of Pinus, Betula, Acer and Malus-type. Cremation seems to be a relatively simple form of funerary ritual in terms of organization. At Hogebeintum but also in other cemeteries (Oosterbeintum, Dokkum, Groningen, Em­men) inhumations are found in coffins made of thick tree trunks of Quercus. This type of inhumation can be dated between the 5th and the 10th century, with its sum­mit in the 8th century. The use of these hallowed-out coffins, which requires fast grown oaks with diameters of 70-75 cm and an age of 100-150 years, indicates long-term forestry planning. This suggests the cultivation of oaks especially for hollowed-out coffins. The question arises what social factors determined the choice be­tween cremation and inhumation in early medieval times.