Charred remains of flowering plants found in ancient Cyprus tombs suggest that Bronze Age communities may have burned bouquets during burial ceremonies about 3,400 years ago. Researchers believe the plants could have served as offerings to the dead, revealing a little-known aspect of ancient funeral traditions.
The findings come from Hala Sultan Tekke, a major Bronze Age harbor city on Cyprus’ southeastern coast. A study led by Teresa Bürge examined plant remains from four tombs, a well and an earlier excavation within the settlement.
Ancient tombs reveal possible burned flower offerings
The strongest evidence came from Tomb SS, where archaeologists discovered two ceramic jugs containing charred plant remains. One jug held an unusually diverse collection of cultivated crops and wild plants. Researchers identified barley, several varieties of wheat, figs and lentils, alongside field marigold, chrysanthemum, mallow and viola.
The remains also included stems, straw and other plant parts. Their combination suggests that people may have gathered whole plants into bouquet-like arrangements before burning them. The tomb contained numerous burials and more than 1,000 ceramic objects and identifiable vessel fragments. Earlier excavations at Hala Sultan Tekke also uncovered richly furnished Bronze Age tombs containing gold jewelry and imported goods.
Food and flowers suggest different burial traditions
Similar plant remains appeared in Tomb YY, where a Mycenaean-style jar contained cereals, wild grasses and flowering plants, including poppy and centaury. However, Tombs UU and XX yielded mainly edible plants, including barley, olives and grapes.
Researchers suggest these differences may reflect two burial practices. Some mourners deposited food, while others placed arrangements of crops and flowers inside graves. Other discoveries at the site have revealed gold ornaments placed on the bodies of the dead, offering further evidence of elaborate burial traditions.
Burned plants found in an ancient well
Evidence of possible plant offerings also emerged from a well within the settlement. Archaeologists identified charred barley, wheat, grape remains and corn chamomile in separate ash deposits. Their composition differed from typical household waste, suggesting deliberate placement. The researchers believe the deposits may have formed part of a ceremony marking the well’s closure. However, practical explanations, including cleaning activities, cannot be ruled out.
Fire and fragrance may have shaped ancient rituals
The discovery also raises questions about the role of smoke and scent in Bronze Age ceremonies. Researchers identified cedar and Mediterranean cypress remains in Tomb UU. Burning resin-rich wood could have produced noticeable odors during funeral activities.
Fire may have served practical purposes or carried symbolic meaning, possibly marking transitions associated with death. Plants also featured in ancient Greek funeral customs, although those traditions do not establish a direct connection to the Cypriot findings. The flowering plants and cereal remains suggest that some deposits occurred during early summer, potentially around harvest time.
Although the evidence does not prove that the plants were deliberately burned as offerings, the repeated discoveries suggest that vegetation played a role in ancient Cypriot ceremonies beyond food production and consumption.
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