The study, published in the journal Antiquity, examined the size and location of burial mounds from 11 prehistoric societies in Europe and Asia, dating from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. The researchers found that the largest mounds were typically located in the most central areas of settlements, and that they were often associated with other high-status grave goods, such as gold and silver jewelry.
"Our findings suggest that the construction of large burial mounds was a way for the upper classes of prehistoric societies to display their power and wealth," said Dr. Richard Bradley, lead author of the study. "These mounds served as a form of social advertisement, and they helped to reinforce the social hierarchy of these societies."
The researchers also found that the size of burial mounds varied significantly between different regions. In some regions, such as the British Isles, burial mounds were relatively small, while in other regions, such as Scandinavia, they were much larger. This variation is likely due to a combination of factors, including the local availability of resources, the size of the population, and the social customs of each society.
"Our study provides new insights into the social organization of prehistoric societies," said Dr. Bradley. "It shows that the upper classes of these societies used a variety of strategies to display their power and wealth, and that the construction of large burial mounds was one of the most important of these strategies."
In addition to Dr. Bradley, the study was also conducted by Dr. Mike Parker Pearson and Dr. Alison Sheridan, both of the University of Southampton.
