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Module Title
LM Funerary Archaeology
School
History and Cultures
Department
Classics, AH and Archaeology
Module Code
09 25521
Module Lead
Paul Garwood
Level
Masters Level
Credits
20
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions
None
Exclusions
Description
This module presents a critical review of theoretical approaches and interpretative themes in contemporary funerary archaeology, and examines the central significance of this field of study in current debates in world archaeology. As a core module for the Cultural Archaeology pathway, it uses this evidence-rich field of study to explore the relationships between cultural ideals, values, social agency and symbolic representation. There will be particular focus on a range of interpretative themes, including social interpretation, cultural identity and personhood, ritual practice, and past belief systems. It will draw widely on cross-cultural and inter-disciplinary case studies in archaeology and cognate disciplines such as anthropology and history, and will be available to students on the other MA/MSc Archaeology pathways and other CAL PGT programmes as an option.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Master the principal theoretical, analytical and interpretative approaches used in funerary studies in Archaeology and related fields of Anthropology and History.
Demonstrate an informed critical approach to evaluating archaeological interpretations of funerary rituals and mortuary practices.
Demonstrate mastery of particular funerary traditions in specific cultural contexts and/or particular kinds of funerary ritual, monumentality and material culture.
Appreciate the nature of relationships between funerary practices, social personae and identities, ritual, religious beliefs, social and political organisations, and cultural ideals and values in past societies.
