Re-interpreting Prehistoric funerary data

Funerary assemblages have been treated in diverse ways by different archaeological schools. For example, they have been considered sealed deposits and thus important for the classification and dating of of artifacts or as markers of the status and identity of the dead, as information sources for the biological features of past people, as evidence of metaphysical beliefs and more generally of cllectively held views about the world and the ways in which society should operate. The seminar presents the main theoretical trends on the interpretation of funerary data and requests their application in specific case studies through student essays.

Semester: 

Winter

Offered: 

2014