Final answer:
Ancient civilizations would often burn their deceased on elaborate funeral pyres as part of elaborate ceremonies tied to seasonal and astronomical events. Notably, the Shang dynasty built large, elaborate tombs. Such practices highlight the diversity of historical perspectives on death.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ancient civilizations would often burn their deceased in elaborate funeral pyres, as an alternative to burying them in the ground. Funeral ceremonies at the time were typically connected to seasonal changes, astronomical observations, and the deceased's kin groups' religious practices. There were also a wide variety of artistic depictions and symbolic items involved in these ceremonies. One such example is the Shang dynasty, which built large, elaborate tombs for royalty and nobility, signifying their ability to organize labor and resources on a vast scale. Funeral practices and rituals varied significantly among different cultures, societies, and religions, highlighting the diversity of human civilization's historical perspectives on death and the afterlife.
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