Mortuary Studies
The archaeology of death--the study of how cultures treat the dead and what they believe about the afterlife.
Burial Types
Over the millennia since the earliest burial, people have buried their dead in many different ways. Each burial type listed on this page includes descriptions, dates and images of typical burials.
Over the millennia since the earliest burial, people have buried their dead in many different ways. Each burial type listed on this page includes descriptions, dates and images of typical burials.
Otzi the Iceman
Otzi the Iceman is one of those amazing discoveries that continues, even decades after the original find, to surprise us with new bits of information. The
Otzi the Iceman is one of those amazing discoveries that continues, even decades after the original find, to surprise us with new bits of information. The
Cemetery Records and Public Archaeology
The Evergreen Cemetery Recording Project is the work of students from the University of Arkansas and the residents of Fayetteville. The website combines archaeology method and theory with usable information for the community. Project director Gregory Vogel discusses the project with About.com
The Evergreen Cemetery Recording Project is the work of students from the University of Arkansas and the residents of Fayetteville. The website combines archaeology method and theory with usable information for the community. Project director Gregory Vogel discusses the project with About.com
Paleoindian and Archaic Burials - A Bibliography
When were the American continents populated? Some of the answers lie in the skeletal remains of individuals buried more than 8,000 years ago--called Paleoindian and Archaic.
When were the American continents populated? Some of the answers lie in the skeletal remains of individuals buried more than 8,000 years ago--called Paleoindian and Archaic.
The Dawn of Angkor
Excavations by Charles Higham at the Neolithic, Iron Age, and Bronze Age cemetery of Ban Non Wat in Thailand reveal exciting new information about the beginnings of the Angkor civilization of Southeast Asia.
Excavations by Charles Higham at the Neolithic, Iron Age, and Bronze Age cemetery of Ban Non Wat in Thailand reveal exciting new information about the beginnings of the Angkor civilization of Southeast Asia.
Death and Commemoration: An Article Abstract
Death and Commemoration: An Article Abstract
Death and Commemoration: An Article Abstract
The First African Americans - Archaeology and Isotope Analysis at Campeche, Yucatan
Stable isotope analysis—the study of the balance of the minerals resident in human bones and teeth—has assisted in identifying what may be among the earliest African Americans in the New World, and perhaps indications of slave trade in the early 16th century between West African and the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. Results of these investigations will be published in an upcoming article in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Stable isotope analysis—the study of the balance of the minerals resident in human bones and teeth—has assisted in identifying what may be among the earliest African Americans in the New World, and perhaps indications of slave trade in the early 16th century between West African and the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. Results of these investigations will be published in an upcoming article in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology
The Archaeology of Death
There is, for all humans, no more fascinating subject than death. Understanding what happens when we die has formed the basis of all religion, most of culture, and major portions of science. And the way human skeletal remains are treated is often as politically controversial as human rights, ethnic divisions, and religious differences.
There is, for all humans, no more fascinating subject than death. Understanding what happens when we die has formed the basis of all religion, most of culture, and major portions of science. And the way human skeletal remains are treated is often as politically controversial as human rights, ethnic divisions, and religious differences.
African Burial Ground
A very pretty website from the New York Public Library on the African Burial Ground found in New York City some years ago. Several photos, good text, in a nifty little package.
A very pretty website from the New York Public Library on the African Burial Ground found in New York City some years ago. Several photos, good text, in a nifty little package.
Barrow
A barrow is the archaeological term for a specific type of burial mound belonging to the Neolithic period structures in western Europe.
A barrow is the archaeological term for a specific type of burial mound belonging to the Neolithic period structures in western Europe.
Black Death
The Black Death was the name given to an episode of the devastating bubonic plague in Europe between 1348 and 1351.
The Black Death was the name given to an episode of the devastating bubonic plague in Europe between 1348 and 1351.
Burial Archaeology
From Spoilheap, a survey of burial practices from earliest times to the recent past, with particular emphasis on Britain.
From Spoilheap, a survey of burial practices from earliest times to the recent past, with particular emphasis on Britain.
Burials and Graves in Archaeology
Archaeological research into death includes mortuary behaviors, grave goods, cemetery plans, mortality, morbidity, and diet and health.
Archaeological research into death includes mortuary behaviors, grave goods, cemetery plans, mortality, morbidity, and diet and health.
Crow Creek Massacre Site
Excavations in South Dakota revealed a precolumbian battle site on the great plains.
Excavations in South Dakota revealed a precolumbian battle site on the great plains.
Egtved Girl (Denmark)
Egtved Girl is an extremely well-preserved burial of a Bronze age woman (ca. 1370 BC) located in south Jutland, Denmark.
Egtved Girl is an extremely well-preserved burial of a Bronze age woman (ca. 1370 BC) located in south Jutland, Denmark.
Farber Gravestone Collection
From the inventive David Rumsey and the American Antiquarian Society, an online database of 13,500 images taken by three photographers of 9000 North American gravestones dated before 1800. Fascinating.
From the inventive David Rumsey and the American Antiquarian Society, an online database of 13,500 images taken by three photographers of 9000 North American gravestones dated before 1800. Fascinating.
Funeral and Burial Practices
From Michael D.Bathrick and Charles M. Niquette, a somewhat outdated (1994) collection of references.
From Michael D.Bathrick and Charles M. Niquette, a somewhat outdated (1994) collection of references.
Iceman (Italy)
The Iceman was found in the Tyrolean Alps in 1991, a Bronze Age hunter lost in a storm between 3350-3300 BC
The Iceman was found in the Tyrolean Alps in 1991, a Bronze Age hunter lost in a storm between 3350-3300 BC
Missing, Presumed Buried?
Bone Diagenesis and the Under-Representation of Anglo-Saxon Children. An article by Jo Buckberry in Assemblage on pre-Christian early medieval cemeteries in eastern England.
Bone Diagenesis and the Under-Representation of Anglo-Saxon Children. An article by Jo Buckberry in Assemblage on pre-Christian early medieval cemeteries in eastern England.
Paleopathology
Paleopathology is the study of diseases in ancient humans or other lifeforms.
Paleopathology is the study of diseases in ancient humans or other lifeforms.
Standard Osteological Database Project
From Thomas Green and Jerome Rose, the SOD project will act as a repository for data generated worldwide via the Internet.
From Thomas Green and Jerome Rose, the SOD project will act as a repository for data generated worldwide via the Internet.