Burial of a Dragon Priest

As a player of the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, I spend a lot of time exploring ancient ruins. I couldn't help but think: what if I was thrown into one of these tombs as an archaeologist? How would I interpret what I found there in the context of burial archaeology? Most importantly, I was interested in how I might go about interpreting the tomb of a Dragon Priest, and what sort of connections could I draw between an anthropological explanation and the lore of the game. (And yes, I'm a total Elder Scrolls nerd and have spent far too many hours on the games - but hey, at least now I'll be putting them to good use!)

Background:
The Dragon Priests were said to rule over Skyrim in the name of the Dragons. When they died, they were buried within ancient tombs and temples in the belief that they would be resurrected upon the prophesied return of Alduin, the 'World Eater' and king of the Dragons. They lived in a time of tyranny, where the Dragons enforced strict obedience of all. This obedience was to be ensured by the priests the Dragons appointed to rule in their name.

Structure of a Typical Tomb:
Tombs belonging to Dragon Priests are vast, multi-chambered, and are often guarded by devices ensuring the protection of the remains and valuable grave goods within. Each chamber is often stocked with urns varying greatly in size and decoration. The contents of these urns, for the most part, have been lost to time suggesting that most contained food or drink. There is often the presence of a large banquet hall nearing the center of the tomb. Storage closets are frequent, and vary in size. They are usually locked, and contain extra supplies such as armor, a few basic weapons, and foodstuffs. One of the most important chambers is one where the embalming takes place. While there are embalming tools spread throughout many of the chambers, most are stored within a smaller sized room with an open table to prepare the remains. This sacred place of preparation was well lit with candles and intricate designs are carved into the floor and walls. The final chamber holds the open sarcophagus of the Dragon Priest. This chamber is by far the largest, and was once a place of worship.

Traps:
There are many complex traps that lie within the tombs, all of which center around turning columns that bear the symbols of animals. While the Dragon Priests are known for their devout worship of the Dragons, they also revered many other animals. Those depicted include: a wolf, dragonfly, whale, eagle, owl, bear, snake, and a fox.

Servants:
The Dragon Priests enforced a strict and brutal law, and demanded obedience above all else. They made slaves out of most of the population, and required those slaves to serve in death as they had in life. The servants were sacrificed to be buried with the Dragon Priest upon his death. There is no differentiation between male and female servants, and each carries a weapon of their own choosing. Several servants were expected to preform daily rituals to sustain the body of the Priest and to one day facilitate the resurrection, but they long since died and are likely buried within the tomb as well. Status is determined by proximity to the Dragon Priest, the most loyal and experienced given resting places the closest to better protect their master. The more prominent of the servants were laid to rest wearing their armor and bearing weapons, whereas the less so were merely wrapped with linen.

Dragon Priest:
The Priest himself, as previously mentioned, was laid within an open sarcophagus in the largest chamber of the tomb. This open space served as a place of worship and respect. The body of the Priest was embalmed and dressed in fine robes adorned with armor crafted of Dragon scales. A large, secured chest nearby the sarcophagus hold the most valuable grave goods belonging to the Priest, yet his most prize possession remains on his person. The most powerful of the Dragon Priests bore great masks of power said to have been enchanted by the Dragons themselves. In death, the mask is placed upon the Priest's face to prevent his soul from leaving his body, trapped to await resurrection.

Interpretation:
The concept of resurrection is key to understanding a Dragon Priests tomb. The bodies of the Priest himself as well as his scores of slaves are all embalmed to preserve their bodies, and they are not interred but laid within alcoves carved into the stone. Some are propped upright as if ready to step out and defend the sanctity of the tomb. All of the bodies are exposed so their resurrection would be as simple as waking from a deep sleep. Upon resurrection, the tomb is equipped with foodstuffs and personal armor and weaponry, so each was ready to serve their Priest and newly returned Dragons.

(I had way too much to say about this...)