Introduction

Abstract

The study of mortuary evidence has a long pedigree in archaeology, and many of the methods and theories applied to historic burial grounds and their monuments can be similar to those of earlier periods. There are, however, many advantages for those working in this particular field within a relatively richly documented context. Death and burial were important events, which had religious, legal, social and cultural consequences, and as a result they often required various forms of documentation. Thus wills, probate inventories and burial registers all are directly associated with death, and are the types of official documents which survive relatively frequently. Moreover, deaths and funerals were occasions which could be recorded in less formal contexts such as newspaper reports, diaries and letters. The historical archaeologist is therefore able to approach the material culture of death with questions informed by this documentation. Archaeologists should not to be constrained by written sources, however, but be able to explore aspects of the past not easily defined by those working in earlier periods.