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The Modern Antiquarian
Re: Robbed cairns. Another myth?
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One other thing that occurs is that is a very large difference between a deliberately hidden "hoard" and grave goods.

Such a hoard would inevitably not been put in an "X marks the spot" location, because you're presumably hoping to come back and retrieve it once the danger or whatever has passed. These sorts of deposits will often only be turned up by an accident of ploughing, or as you say, someone with a metal detector.

Whereas the burial of a revered cheiftain/hero/elder etc might be accompanied by grave goods. The burial was in plain sight, not with an intention to hide anything but to honour the person by leaving them the objects. For an extreme example, I think the pyramids would be a pretty big "X marks the spot", yet the occupants were buried with lavish amounts of what most people would consider "treasure".


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thesweetcheat
Posted by thesweetcheat
25th March 2012ce
18:39

In reply to:

Robbed cairns. Another myth? (rockhopper)

1 reply:

Re: Robbed cairns. Another myth? (blossom)

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