Continuing Bonds and the Ancient Dead
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2019-02-11

We know that interpretations of past human remains are key sources of evidence for archaeologists. This paper discusses a new approach, using interpretations of human remains in a very different way. The ‘Continuing Bonds’ Project explores reactions by health care professionals and students to case studies of mortuary archaeology, assessing whether they can help facilitate conversations around death and dying today. In addition, case studies are used to explore the range of attitudes to death in different times and places. Through this, we demonstrate that while death is universal, approaches to dealing with this problematic topic vary widely, although they often reveal a motivation to keep the dead close to the living. The project generates different types of reaction through a variety of media: conversations; flip chart notes; and occasionally creative writing, demonstrating that different audiences express their emotions regarding the dead body in different ways. 

Karina Croucher (University of Bradford), Lindsey Büster (University of Bradford), Jennifer Dayes (University
of Bradford), Laura Green (University of Bradford) and Christina Faull (University of Bradford)