Funerary Diversity and Cultural Continuity: The British Beaker Phenomenon Beyond the Stereotype

The Beaker phenomenon in Britain is typically represented by a particular form of pottery and its inclusion graves with flexed or crouched inhumations referred to as burials. Analysis the full range burial evidence, however, reveals high degree variability funerary rites including cremation skeletal disarticulation. Summed probability distribution analysis radiocarbon dates provides evidence for continuity these other, atypical from pre-Beaker Late Neolithic ( c. 3000–2450 cal bc ) through Chalcolithic 2450–2200 into Early Bronze Age (after 2200 ). Regional diversity apparent period treatments grave good provision between typical rites, differential selection on basis age biological sex. This within community has implications understanding large-scale processes cultural genomic transformation across this major transition British prehistory.