Diverse deathscapes

Late Eneolithic funerary practices in southern Poland reveal a complex interplay of tradition, adaptation, and local expression. The Złota culture (c. 2900–2300 BCE) exemplifies this variability, as shown by two burials (graves 23 and 25) discovered in 2012 at site 6 in Złota. Grave 23 was a deep circular pit originally used for storage and later adapted for funerary purposes. Its base was paved with sandstone slabs and stones, and the lower walls were reddened by fire. The grave contained a mature male laid on his left side in a flexed position with two ceramic vessels. Grave 25 was a trapezoidal pit, probably a niche grave, with a flat bottom partly covered by small stone slabs, containing a disturbed skeleton of an adult female missing the skull and much of the upper body. Despite disturbance, its construction reflects careful planning and symbolic arrangement. Both graves, though modest in inventory, demonstrate purposeful ritual behaviour. The coexistence of reused domestic features and newly built graves illustrates the flexibility of mortuary customs within the Złota culture. Comparison with the Globular Amphora and Corded Ware cultures highlights shared concepts and local distinctions, illuminating the social meaning and regional dynamics of Eneolithic funerary traditions.