A Matter of Life and Death: The Rise of the Tumulus, the Eternal Living Monument of Bronze and Iron Age Albania

Tumulus cemeteries served as the cornerstone of archaeological research during the communist regime in Albania, sparking a vibrant and proactive interest in their identification, excavation, study and publication. However, this investigation into tumuli was largely shaped by the socio-economic and political dynamics of the nationalistic agendas of the totalitarian communist regime. As a result, certain aspects of tumuli data were often misused to promote the ethnogenesis of Illyrians. Consequently, data remained fragmented, and there was no comprehensive or detailed catalogue of each individual tumulus. This approach ultimately impeded a thorough understanding of the significance of tumulus cemeteries as funerary monuments and their role in addressing the central themes of death, burial and bereavement. By employing a mixed methods approach that integrates both thematic and statistical analyses, this research re-evaluates published data from tumuli excavated during the communist era and presents a framework that addresses the challenges inherent in tumuli research while emphasising the rigour, scientific integrity and quality of the data.

This study illustrates how re-assessing published tumuli data from a communist regime, in light of recent advancements in understanding sensory experiences, emotions and memory, facilitates a deeper exploration of issues related to death, burial and bereavement, ultimately yielding a more comprehensive understanding of tumuli. In doing so, it highlights the key factors that transformed tumulus cemeteries from mere burial sites into Eternal Living Monuments of the Bronze and Iron Age in Albania. By showcasing the wealth of insights that can be derived from re-assessing the published data of a totalitarian regime and examining the significant role of tumulus cemeteries – both as matters of life and death and as Eternal Living Monuments – this research paves the way for future studies on tumuli and burial practices conducted iv within restrictive and totalitarian regimes.