In the Vedic period, which lasted from approximately 1500 BCE to 500 BCE, the prevalent method of disposing of the dead was either cremation or burial. This period was characterized by the composition of the Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, and it marked the transition from the Indus Valley Civilization to the Iron Age in the Indian subcontinent.

Cremation:
Cremation is the act of burning a dead body to ashes, usually in a designated cremation ground. This practice has been prevalent in Hindu culture for centuries and continues to be the primary method of disposal of the dead in modern times. In the Vedic period, cremation was a common way to honor the deceased and release their spirit from the physical body. The ashes were then typically scattered in a sacred river or body of water, such as the Ganges.

Burial:
Burial, on the other hand, involves placing the deceased body in the ground, often in a designated burial ground or cemetery. While cremation was more common, burial also had its place in the Vedic period. Burial practices varied across different regions and communities. Some burials involved placing the body in a fetal position, while others involved placing the body in a seated position. Burial was often accompanied by various rituals and the offering of food and other items to the deceased.

Significance of Cremation and Burial:
Both cremation and burial held significant cultural and religious significance in the Vedic period. They were seen as ways to honor the deceased and ensure their transition to the afterlife. These practices were deeply rooted in the belief in the cycle of life and death, and the idea that the physical body is merely a vessel for the soul.

Conclusion:
In summary, the prevalent method of disposing of the dead in the Vedic period was either cremation or burial. Cremation was more common, but burial also had its place in certain regions and communities. These practices were deeply rooted in the cultural and religious beliefs of the time and served as ways to honor the deceased and facilitate their journey to the afterlife.