How long ago did humans begin burying their dead?

Burial of the dead has been dated back 130,000 years as evidenced by Neanderthal graves.

What are the earliest burials?

The earliest human gravesite found thus far is the Qafzeh Cave in modern-day Israel dated to 120,000 years ago although Neanderthals were burying their dead prior to this time.

Why was burial important?

Burial was important simply for health reasons but also to honor the deceased, allow the living to grieve their loss, and encourage the spirit of the departed to pass on to the afterlife. Improper burial rituals were understood as a main cause for hauntings.

Did all ancient cultures practice burial rituals?

All ancient cultures observed some form of funerary rites in the burial of their dead.

Burial Timeline

Definition

Burial of the dead is the act of placing the corpse of a deceased person in a tomb constructed for that purpose or in a grave dug into the earth. Archaeological excavations have revealed Neanderthal graves dating back 130,000 years, marking burial as among the earliest human activities. Grave goods with the corpse suggest proper burial associated with an afterlife.

More about: Burial

Timeline

c. 6000 BCE
Burial of the dead in Egypt.
c. 6000 BCE
Earliest Egyptian mastabas dug at Saqqara.
c. 5000 BCE
Evidence of burial in Sumer.
c. 5000 BCE
Dead buried with grave goods at Banpo Village, China.
4300 BCE
First megalithic tombs in Europe.
c. 4000 BCE
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery begins in Sligo, Ireland.
c. 3300 BCE
Early Harappan Civilization of India practices burial of the dead.
3300 BCE
Newgrange Burial Mound constructed in Ireland.
3000 BCE
Stone tombs on Crete.
3000 BCE
Tomb of the Eagles created in Scotland.
c. 3000 BCE - c. 2800 BCE
Maeshowe Passage Grave completed in Scotland.
3000 BCE - 2000 BCE
First rock-cut burial chambers at Akrotiri.
c. 2800 BCE
Later Harappan Civilization turns to cremation over burial.
c. 2600 BCE
Mayan Culture buries their dead individually under homes.
c. 2600 BCE - c. 2000 BCE
The Royal Graves of Ur used in Sumer.
c. 2560 BCE
The Great Pyramid of Giza is constructed by Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops).
c. 1700 BCE - c. 1600 BCE
First shaft graves constructed at Mycenae.
c. 1500 BCE - c. 1400 BCE
First palace structure and Treasury of Atreus tomb built at Mycenae.
c. 1500 BCE
First tholos tombs built at Mycenae.
c. 1100 BCE
Greeks implement use of individual tombs and graves.
c. 700 BCE
Tomb of Mayan King K'utz Chman of Retalhuleu constructed in Guatemala.
500 BCE - 300 BCE
Rich Scythian burials.