ANTH 452

Funerary archaeology is the study of the physical remains of funerals, burials, and associated beliefs and rituals. In this course, we consider how archaeologists and anthropologists examine and interpret the materiality and ideology of funerary rituals, the treatment of the dead, grave goods, and the religious beliefs associated with the afterlife and the remembrance of ancestors. An emphasis is placed on the history of archaeological theory and approaches to accessing and understanding these aspects of the human past. Students should expect to read and discuss a number of case studies surrounding funerary rituals and burials, as we consider how to apply theory to the material remains of ancient and modern societies as they grapple with mortality, immortalize their ancestors, and manipulate the arena of death for political and social gain.