Question

burial sites
archaeologists report
there were twenty - seven bodies buried in this location. each female skeleton over twelve years old held a candle in one hand and a magnificently painted clay jar in the other. each clay jar contained valuables such as sapphires, rubies, gold coins, and diamonds. the jars were painted blue with star patterns painted in white. the north star could be found near the neck of the jar. it was painted much larger than normal with a red circle around it.
in some cases, the hand of a small childs skeleton was holding the hand of the female buried next to it. around the bodies were the remains of white and brilliant blue silk robes. the men were always buried to the south of the womens bodies. they were placed in a kneeling position so that they faced the women. many times one of the mens hands was in an outstretched position so that it touched the foot of the nearest woman. the women were always positioned so that their heads were toward the position of the north star.

1. did these people believe in an afterlife? why?
2. where do the people believe they go when they die?
3. why do you think each skeleton held a candle?
4. what were the purposes of the clay jars?
5. what does the childs hand holding the womens mean?
6. why were the women facing the north star?
7. why were the men positioned as they were?
8. why were the hands of many of the men touching the foot of a woman?
9. why did the female children under twelve hold no candle or jar of valuables?

Explanation:

1. Likely they believed in an afterlife as they were buried with valuables like gold coins, diamonds and other items which might be for use in the next - life.
2. It's not explicitly stated where they believed they went, but the positioning towards the North Star might suggest a celestial destination.
3. The candle could be for light in the afterlife, to guide the soul or have symbolic meaning related to the transition to the next world.
4. The clay jars likely held valuables for the deceased to use in the afterlife, serving as a form of provision for the next - world journey.
5. The child's hand holding the woman's may symbolize protection, love, or a connection that was meant to continue in the afterlife.
6. Facing the North Star might have been a way to guide the soul to a particular place in the afterlife, or it could have religious or spiritual significance related to navigation in the next world.
7. The men's positioning might have been to serve or protect the women in the afterlife, or it could be related to their social or religious roles in life continuing in death.
8. The hands touching the woman's foot could symbolize respect, protection, or a connection that was important in the afterlife.
9. Female children under twelve might not have been considered ready to use or in need of such items in the afterlife, perhaps due to their age - related status in the society's beliefs about the afterlife.

Answer:

1. Yes, because they were buried with valuables for the afterlife.
2. Not explicitly stated, but possibly a celestial destination due to North - Star orientation.
3. For light or symbolic transition to the afterlife.
4. To hold valuables for the afterlife.
5. Symbolizes protection or love continuing in the afterlife.
6. To guide the soul or for spiritual/religious reasons related to the afterlife.
7. To serve or protect women in the afterlife or due to social/religious roles.
8. Symbolizes respect or protection in the afterlife.
9. Considered not ready or in need of such items in the afterlife due to age.