Death and Memory in Early Medieval BritainCambridge University Press, 2006 M08 31 How were the dead remembered in early medieval Britain? Originally published in 2006, this innovative study demonstrates how perceptions of the past and the dead, and hence social identities, were constructed through mortuary practices and commemoration between c. 400–1100 AD. Drawing on archaeological evidence from across Britain, including archaeological discoveries, Howard Williams presents a fresh interpretation of the significance of portable artefacts, the body, structures, monuments and landscapes in early medieval mortuary practices. He argues that materials and spaces were used in ritual performances that served as 'technologies of remembrance', practices that created shared 'social' memories intended to link past, present and future. Through the deployment of material culture, early medieval societies were therefore selectively remembering and forgetting their ancestors and their history. Throwing light on an important aspect of medieval society, this book is essential reading for archaeologists and historians with an interest in the early medieval period. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 87
Page 3
... death and burial of key importance in the history of death and society, and makes mortuary archaeology pivotal to any under- standing of early medieval societies. In addressing this issue, the aim is to develop a richer understanding of ...
... death and burial of key importance in the history of death and society, and makes mortuary archaeology pivotal to any under- standing of early medieval societies. In addressing this issue, the aim is to develop a richer understanding of ...
Page 7
... gendered artefacts and dating to the late sixth century AD. The grave was uncovered by the Victorian antiquary George Hillier (after Smith 1868). SITE SFM 98 DATE : 29/8 CONTEXT Figure 1.2 Three. Death, memory and material culture 7 ...
... gendered artefacts and dating to the late sixth century AD. The grave was uncovered by the Victorian antiquary George Hillier (after Smith 1868). SITE SFM 98 DATE : 29/8 CONTEXT Figure 1.2 Three. Death, memory and material culture 7 ...
Page 9
... prosaic ' or ' practical ' explanation , such as amulets and the decoration upon objects , rather than broader patterns in burial data ( e.g. Meaney 1981 ; Wilson 1992 ) . Yet symbolism has many Death , memory and material culture 9.
... prosaic ' or ' practical ' explanation , such as amulets and the decoration upon objects , rather than broader patterns in burial data ( e.g. Meaney 1981 ; Wilson 1992 ) . Yet symbolism has many Death , memory and material culture 9.
Page 10
... death linked to the social identity of the deceased but also to cosmology , mythology and ideology . For example , the issue of pervading metaphors in mortuary contexts is one explored by Chris Tilley ( 1999 ) and addressed in relation ...
... death linked to the social identity of the deceased but also to cosmology , mythology and ideology . For example , the issue of pervading metaphors in mortuary contexts is one explored by Chris Tilley ( 1999 ) and addressed in relation ...
Page 12
... death might be perceived by archaeologists as a topic we cannot address. On the contrary, if we consider the multi-sensuous elements of mortuary practices and their role in connecting the living with the dead, then an understanding of ...
... death might be perceived by archaeologists as a topic we cannot address. On the contrary, if we consider the multi-sensuous elements of mortuary practices and their role in connecting the living with the dead, then an understanding of ...
Contents
7 | |
Section 2 | 47 |
Section 3 | 53 |
Section 4 | 58 |
Section 5 | 63 |
Section 6 | 70 |
Section 7 | 71 |
Section 8 | 79 |
Section 9 | 92 |
Section 10 | 110 |
Section 11 | 145 |
Section 12 | 164 |
Section 13 | 179 |
Section 14 | 193 |
Section 15 | 203 |
Section 16 | 215 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
adult female ancestors archaeological archaeologists artefacts associated barrow Beowulf Berinsfield Boddington 1996 bone Bronze Age brooches burial mound burial rites cadaver cairn Carver chapter Christian cists coffin commemoration complex connected consider context corpse cremation Cwichelm dead deceased discussed display early Anglo-Saxon early medieval Britain early medieval burial early medieval cemeteries early medieval graves early medieval mortuary early medieval period elements evidence excavations Filmer-Sankey & Pestell focus focusing funeral funerary furnished burial grave structures Halsall Harford Farm Härke identified identity individuals inhumation instances interred landscape long-cist Lundin Links Martin Carver material culture medieval Britain mnemonic monuments mourners objects past placed Plas Gogerddan portable artefacts posture prehistoric pyre Raunds Raunds Furnells redrawn by Séan remembering and forgetting reuse ritual role Saxon Séan Goddard sequence served settlements seventh seventh-century significance sixth centuries Snape social memory suggests Sutton Hoo Swallowcliffe symbol stones Taplow Court theme transformation weapons
Popular passages
Page 1 - Had they made as good provision for their names, as they have done for their relics, they had not so grossly erred in the art of perpetuation. But to subsist in bones, and be but pyramidally extant, is a fallacy in duration. Vain ashes which in the oblivion of names, persons, times, and sexes, have found unto themselves a fruitless continuation, and only arise unto late posterity, as emblems of mortal vanities, antidotes against pride, vain-glory, and madding vices.
Page 1 - ... and teeth, with fresh impressions of their combustion, besides the extraneous substances, like pieces of small boxes, or combs handsomely wrought, handles of small brass instruments, brazen nippers, and in one some kind of opal. Near the same plot of ground, for about six yards...