Which group cremated their dead along with their possessions?

The correct answer highlights the practice of Northern Europeans, particularly during earlier periods of human history, where cremation of the dead along with their possessions was a common funerary ritual. This practice was rooted in various cultural and spiritual beliefs about the afterlife, possession, and the treatment of the deceased.

In many Northern European cultures, such as the Vikings, it was customary to send the deceased off with their belongings, including weapons, jewelry, and sometimes even horses or boats. This was believed to provide for the deceased in the afterlife and reflect their status and lifestyle. The act of cremation, in this context, was not just a method of body disposal, but a significant ritual that involved honoring the individual and preparing them for the journey beyond.

Understanding the cultural significance of these practices allows us to appreciate how different societies view death and the afterlife. Cultures within Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as Middle Eastern cultures, had different burial practices that often did not include cremation or the burning of possessions along with the deceased, reflecting diverse beliefs and customs around death and the treatment of the body.