Excarnation burial ritual practiced across Mediterranean for over 5,000 years

Excarnation burial ritual practiced across Mediterranean for over 5,000 years. Excarnation (removing flesh, storing clean bones) was practiced across the Mediterranean Menorca practiced excarnation around 1,200-700 BC Sardinia (Tombs of Giants) practiced excarnation 1,800-400 BC

Excarnation (removing flesh, storing clean bones) was practiced across the Mediterranean for over 5,000 years. Sardinia shows this from 1,800 BC, Croatia from 2,000–1,700 BC, the Alps from 2,500–2,000 BC, and Malta from 3,500–2,500 BC. This widespread practice may explain why skeletal remains are rare.

Key Facts

• Excarnation (removing flesh, storing clean bones) was practiced across the Mediterranean
• Menorca practiced excarnation around 1,200-700 BC
• Sardinia (Tombs of Giants) practiced excarnation 1,800-400 BC
• Croatia (Monk Donja) practiced excarnation 2,000-1,700 BC
• Remedello culture in the Alps practiced this 2,500-2,000 BC
• Malta temple builders practiced this 3,500-2,500 BC
• In Mallorca, excarnated bones placed in caves, natural or enlarged by excavation

Source: No Bones, No Answers: The Strange People Who Built Mallorca's Walls by One-eyed giant building walls