Dealing with the Dead: Archaeological Perspectives on Prehistoric Scandinavian Burial Ritual

by T. Artelius (Editor), F.\Svanberg (Editor)

The papers in this volume explore how prehistoric Scandinavian burial ritual and religion can be interpreted and understood within contemporary Swedish contract archaeology. In different cases and from varying theoretical perspectives, the authors demonstrate how the material culture in collective burial ritual was used to create and express everything from very functional and distinct religious results, to individual, local and regional cultural identity. Emphasis is placed upon the interpretation of the actual dealings with the dead, the graves, the monuments, and with burial-grounds in the landscape. Examples range from the Neolithic to the conversion to Christianity in the late Viking Age.

280 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2005