From Helmut Krueger, Munich, Germany
Archaeological evidence for afterlife beliefs goes back at least 12,000 years, when bodies started to be buried with useful stuff to take to the other side, says Graham Lawton. But there are other reasons to bury such items.
Those left behind may gain a feeling of closure by burying their loved one with things they cherished. Doing so may prevent the hurt they would feel on seeing someone else using those items.
