Ethnoarchaeology of funeral practices: aspects of the management of current dolmens and collective tombs in the tribal societies of Sumba Island (Indonesia)—abridged version

This article presents an ethnoarchaeological study which aims to identify the main characteristics of practice collective burial among traditional societies on island Sumba (Indonesia). The results also show how data collected can lead us modify our understanding Neolithic tombs in European records. These are last world build megalithic monuments intended be used as tombs. Knowledge social and religious background subjective experience individuals involved is, this case, asset approach. Within systematic a village large number “biographies” dolmens were established. following: first, simultaneous use several burials by same reference group (in case lineage) could identified, led propose notion dolmen “pool”; second, reflection causes interruptions (temporal hiatus) observed proposed; third, initial assessment potential contribution Sumbanian system with regard interpretation paleogenomic studies (those oriented towards analysis kinship links)