Uniformity or pluriformity? The indigenous-Roman burial fields of Oss-Ussen, Mierlo-Hout-Snippenscheut and Geleen-Janskamperveld

In the course of past decennia, a large number of indigenous-Roman burial fields have been excavated on the sand and loess landscapes of Noord-Brabant and Limburg. Unfortunately, not all of these burial fields have been documented in scientific reports conform with KNA standards.

In the course of past decennia, a large number of indigenous-Roman burial fields have been excavated on the sand and loess landscapes of Noord-Brabant and Limburg (for an overview, see Hiddink 2003, fig. 3; appendix 1). Unfortunately, not all of these burial fields have been documented in scientific reports conform with KNA standards. This NWO-Odyssee project focuses on the elaboration of three excavations of indigenous-Roman burial fields, namely Oss-Ussen (1976-1980; IPL), Mierlo-Hout-Snippenscheut (1992-1993; IPP) and Geleen-Janskamperveld (1991; IPL). The finds from these excavations have been largely analysed and described, the field drawings digitalised, and features and structures have been discussed in theses and/or (very) provisional publications. A final and complete report, however, is lacking in all cases.

In his study, Hiddink (2003) concludes that current knowledge of indigenous-Roman burial fields and corresponding grave ritual is unnecessarily poor. This is due to an almost complete absence of publications on the burial fields. It is of fundamental importance for the development of models for indigenous-Roman burial fields to have an elaboration of these findings (Van Enckevort et al 2005). Aside from documenting the results of the projects refered to above, this project intends to make a contribution by delivering a comprehensive, synthesising article. The hypothesis of uniformity or pluriformity refers to Hiddink's suggestion of local grave rituals.