Reconstructing the Social Behavior of the Neolithic Societies in the Near East from the Perspective of Death and Mortuary Rituals

从陶器前的新石器时代B到陶器的新石器时代的过渡经历了葬礼习俗的显着变化。在陶器时代之前的新石器时代，去除头骨和装饰的做法非常普遍。有人认为，这些仪式反映了公共仪式，并被认为是社会制度的一部分。然而，在随后的陶器新石器时代，这些葬礼活动急剧减少，在安纳托利亚中部/东南部和北莱万特发现的证据有限。对个人登记地点的调查表明，这些做法的减少是由于以家庭制度为基础的社会结构的变化。少数家庭在个人的基础上实行了这一习俗，导致了这种习俗的衰落。

The transition from Pre-Pottery Neolithic B and Pottery Neolithic periods underwent remarkable changes in funerary practices. Skull removal and decoration practices were widely prevalent in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic. It is suggested that these ritual practices reflect public rituals and were considered part of the social system. However, in the succeeding Pottery Neolithic period, these funeral practices sharply decreased and limited evidence was uncovered from Central/ southeastern Anatolia and Northern Levant. Investigations at PN sites indicate that the decline in these practices is attributed to changes in social structure in society which is based on a household system. A small number of households have practiced this custom on an individual basis which leads to its decline.