CISTVAEN Meaning and
Definition
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A cistvaen refers to a type of prehistoric burial chamber or stone coffin that was used in the past for the interment of human remains. The term originates from the Celtic language, specifically the Welsh language, where "cist" means a box or chest, and "vaen" means a stone or rock. Cistvaens can be found in different regions around the world, particularly in areas with a rich archaeological history, such as Europe and the British Isles.
These burial chambers typically consist of large slabs or stones arranged in a rectangular or square shape, forming a box-like structure. The stones are often placed vertically or tilted inward to create walls, and a cover slab is laid on top to seal the chamber. The cistvaen design varies depending on the time period and region, displaying different architectural features.
Cistvaens were primarily used during the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods as a means of burying the deceased in a protected and communal space. They were often located within burial mounds or barrows, accompanied by various grave goods and offerings. Some cistvaens may have held the remains of multiple individuals from the same community or family. Archaeological excavations of cistvaens have provided significant insights into ancient burial practices, mortuary traditions, and social structures of the societies that constructed them.
Common Misspellings for CISTVAEN
- xistvaen
- vistvaen
- fistvaen
- distvaen
- custvaen
- cjstvaen
- ckstvaen
- costvaen
- c9stvaen
- c8stvaen
- ciatvaen
- ciztvaen
- cixtvaen
- cidtvaen
- cietvaen
- ciwtvaen
- cisrvaen
- cisfvaen
- cisgvaen
- cisyvaen
Etymology of CISTVAEN
The word "Cistvaen" is derived from the Welsh language. "Cist" means "chest" or "box", while "baen" means "stone".
