grave goods

Grave goods are objects, such as weapons, ornaments, or tools, found buried with the dead in prehistoric graves. These items provide insights into the lives and beliefs of ancient peoples, including their social status and potential beliefs about the afterlife. For example, the rich grave goods found in the Shaft Graves at Mycenae, dating to around 1600 BCE, included gold, silver, and bronze items, as well as weapons. Similarly, in Japan's Kofun period (c. 250–710 CE), tombs contained grave goods like bronze mirrors, jewelry, and iron weapons, intended to sustain the spirit in the afterlife. The presence and type of grave goods can indicate economic and social status during life.1234