Here it is, the end of the semester, and summer is upon us. It's sad to think there will be no more classes to look forward too, but I suppose it had to end sometime! I've taking a lot away from the course, and it has especially broadened my interpretations when considering grave goods and individual remains within the grave.
Burial sites can tell us so much more than I ever thought possible about the individual present. Grave goods can give us insight into the buried individual's character, but we must keep in mind that it is a reflection of how the living viewed the dead, and not necessarily an accurate representation of the individual's sense of self. Gender, status, and profession can all be portrayed through grave goods as well as the position of the remains. These can also be shown through the grave location and type. Furthermore, the excavation of burial sites must be carried out with understanding and openness. Anyone associated with the site must be informed and their decisions respected - which is sometimes a hard truth to bare as archaeologists.
I've learned about so many different burial practrices over the course of this semester, it would be impossible to list them all here. As someone who's interested in new cultures, rituals, and practices, this was a highlight for me personally. The course was one of the few that actually got me interested in researching outside of assignments.
So, I think it's safe to say I've learned a lot, and this experience will definitely help me carry on through my future anthropology courses. The group projects were -surprisingly!- not only a great learning opportunity, but also fun! I highly recommend Anth 397: Archaeology of Death!
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