What are we missing? : an archaeothanatological approach to late Anglo-Saxon burials
Archaeothanatology, a holistic approach conceived in France, examines detailed observations of the spatial positioning of skeletal elements in a grave, to characterize taphonomy and reveal funerary practices that would otherwise be archaeologically invisible. However, archaeothanatology suffers from a lack of comparative case studies exploring the effects of different burial environments upon the decomposition and disarticulation of a human corpse in the grave. Furthermore, investigations into funerary practices applying a taphonomic approach are seldom contained in published reports for burials in England. This has resulted in potentially valuable evidence for funerary practices being overlooked. This study evaluates the utility of archaeothanatology as a tool for reconstructing original burial form from an archaeological grave context, with specific focus on the identification of wooden containers from the late Anglo-Saxon period (c.A.D. 650-1100). Recent data suggests a variety of different containers for the body were commonly used but identifies so-called 'plain-earth graves' as the norm. Many containers will have been constructed entirely from wood, decomposing completely, rendering them archaeologically
Green, Emma C.
What are we missing? : an archaeothanatological approach to late Anglo-Saxon burials. Archaeothanatology, a holistic approach conceived in France, examines detailed observations of the spatial positioning of skeletal elements in a grave, to characterize taphonomy and reveal funerary practices that would otherwise be archaeologically invisible. However, archaeothanatology suffers from a lack of comparative case studies exploring the effects of different burial environments upon the decomposition and disarticulation of a human corpse in the grave. Furthermore, investigations into funerary practices applying a taphonomic approach are seldom contained in published reports for burials in England. This has resulted in potentially valuable evidence for funerary practices being overlooked. This study evaluates the utility of archaeothanatology as a tool for reconstructing original burial form from an archaeological grave context, with specific focus on the identification of wooden containers from the late Anglo-Saxon period (c.A.D. 650-1100). Recent data suggests a variety of different containers for the body were commonly used but identifies so-called 'plain-earth graves' as the norm. Many containers will have been constructed entirely from wood, decomposing completely, rendering them archaeologically
miss late_anglo_saxon burial holistic conceive france examine detailed observation spatial position skeletal_element grave characterize taphonomy reveal funerary_practice would_otherwise archaeologically invisible however suffers lack comparative case study_explore effect_different burial_environment upon decomposition human corpse grave furthermore investigation funerary_practice apply taphonomic seldom contain publish_report burial england result potentially valuable evidence_funerary practice overlook study evaluate utility tool reconstruct original burial form archaeological grave context specific_focus identification wooden container late_anglo saxon_period cad recent data suggest variety_different container body commonly used identifies so_called plain earth graf norm many container construct entirely wood decompose completely render archaeologically