Representation of the funeral customs and ceremonies of what was called then the ?皜??lished-stone epoch??Neolithic), based on the findings and analysis of archeological research in the mid-nineteenth century. This epoch of the Neolithic age is characterised by the adoption of agriculture to produce food and the development of polished stone tools and pottery. In ancient burial mounds such as tumuli and long barrows, evidence of the work of sharp instruments on animal bones indicate the funeral rites were accompanied by feasts. Following the interment a fire was lighted on the mound above the tumulus into which precious objects were thrown. These and other conclusions have been largely confirmed by later archeological research.