Abstract
Unlike the four previous Megiddo final reports, which were seasonal reports, this fifth one focuses on Tomb 16/H/50 and Burial 16/H/45. The science tools for collecting data from tombs and burials have advanced significantly, especially in the past decade. These two undisturbed burials give us a great deal of information. The tomb had three articulated human remains plus 14 additional disarticulated skeletons. Although it was possible to obtain DNA only on some of the remains, this indicates that several were biologically related, indicating this might be the burial of an intergeneration group of related individuals. Palaeogenetic analysis shows the Megiddo population as a whole was established Levantine, but some of those studied here stand out as containing significantly higher proportions of Zagros or Caucasus ancestry. One skull in Burial 16/H/45 exhibits one of the few examples of trephination in Bronze Age Levant. Although diet tended to be local (dominated by wheat and dates), trade with the Far East is indicated by the evidence of sesame, soybean, and turmeric consumption. There were also traces of vanilla in one of the pots, which could be used for embalming and medicinal purposes, as well as flavouring of food. The amount of jewellery and precious metals showed that these were high status individuals, as well as the offerings (which consisted mainly of sheep). In the pottery, local wares predominated, though two imported Cypriot vessels were found. Two bone-inlaid boxes, one a gaming box combining two Middle Bronze Age Levantine games (Twenty Squares and Senet) were part of the grave goods. There are no indexes but the detailed description of the short chapters facilitates access to the contents.