Which civilization's beliefs included the notion of cremating their dead with possessions?

The notion of cremating the dead along with their possessions is prominently associated with Northern European cultures, particularly the practices observed during the Iron Age and the Viking Age. These cultures often placed a significant emphasis on the belief that the deceased could use their possessions in the afterlife. This belief system led to elaborate cremation rituals where not only the body was cremated, but also various items considered valuable or necessary for the deceased in the next life.

The idea of including possessions in cremation rites reflects the cultural values concerning death and the afterlife in these societies. Such practices may have stemmed from a belief in the importance of material goods and the roles they played in supporting one’s identity and status beyond death.

In contrast, Greek and Roman civilizations had different views on death and the afterlife, which typically involved burial practices rather than cremation with possessions. Similarly, Egyptian culture is renowned for its elaborate burial customs and mummification, focused on preserving the body for the afterlife, rather than relying on cremation. Thus, the practice of cremating the dead with their belongings is much more characteristic of Northern European cultures compared to the other civilizations mentioned.