The need of the metal for the study of social stratification

One of the most widely studied topics in mortuary archaeology is the connection between an individual's social standing and the presence of metal grave goods. Our research raises questions regarding the existence of other societal status indicators, which may also be important bearers of social data. The participants in this research were individuals from the Wicina cremation cemetery (n = 355) who died between the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age and whose age at death was determined. The existence of wood grave chambers (GCh) as well as the base number of vessels (MNV) per burial were regarded as social separation mediators. Tests were completed to see whether these grave lists distinguished the probability of survival of individuals of different ages, and to identify the lists that had the most predictive power with regard to death age. The social division was mirrored in the probability of endurance: individuals who lived with a higher social stratum had a greater chance of surviving for a longer period of time, and vice versa. The presence of metal objects has no effect on the probability of endurance, according to our findings.