Small Things Unforgotten
Part of: Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)
This collection contains the abstracts of the papers presented in the session entitled "Small Things Unforgotten," at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.
Within burials of all time periods, there are small items deposited that are of clear importance to the identity of the individuals and provide information about more domestic, or mundane, activities. Interpretations often only provide cursory insights into these materials, thus further investigation and discussion of these smaller items is necessary. In the last few years, object biographies have grown increasingly complex with regards to the dichotomy between form and function. Beads, buckles, hinges, keys, and toilet-sets, to name a few items, are often counted and typed, then set aside. These items likely held multiple roles beyond function in the same way quality and type of mundane items today hold more than one message for the user/viewer. Off-brand shoes, sunglasses or purses may visually appear similar to the original more expensive version, but both versions would hold a different meaning and message. This session aims to reassess the meaning and role of smaller goods in burial deposits across a range of time periods and geographic regions.
Other Keywords
Mortuary Analysis •
Gender •
Mortuary archaeology •
Iron Age •
Material Culture and Technology •
Identity/Ethnicity
Geographic Keywords
Isle of Man (Country) •
French Republic (Country) •
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Nort (Country) •
Ireland (Country) •
Kingdom of Belgium (Country) •
Bailiwick of Guernsey (Country) •
Principality of Monaco (Country) •
Bailiwick of Jersey (Country) •
Kingdom of the Netherlands (Country) •
Kingdom of Spain (Country)
Resources Inside This Collection (Viewing 1-3 of 3)
- Documents (3)
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The Key to It All: Anglo-Saxon Female Identity (2019)
DOCUMENT Citation Only
This is an abstract from the "Small Things Unforgotten" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology. Keys are made to open locks: they are practical and necessary, so why were they deposited in Anglo-Saxon female burials? Anglo-Saxon female identity has been tied to domesticity and family, which has been interpreted based on grave goods. Recent reevaluations of 10th c AD Scandinavian culture has revealed a more complicated gender role for women than previously...
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A Miniature Brooch and Gaming Pieces: The Story of the Smaller Objects from the Late Iron Age Elite Burials of Southern England (2019)
DOCUMENT Citation Only
This is an abstract from the "Small Things Unforgotten" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology. Two iron firedogs, a tripod for a cauldron, a small amphora of Graeco Italian type, a bronze jug, glass vessels and Samian dishes. These are the objects selected for a catalogue record and for inclusion in the historic museum display of the 30 or so objects discovered in a Late Iron Age burial at Stanfordbury, Bedfordshire in southern England. But what about the...
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Playing at Death: A Discussion of Hnefatafl Pieces in Viking Burials (2019)
DOCUMENT Citation Only
This is an abstract from the "Small Things Unforgotten" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology. Board games, from a psychological standpoint, have been seen as a reflection of skill, cunning, wisdom, and intelligence. Since most board games were developed in order to hone one’s skills in a certain area of life, the presence of them in graves should indicate a level of intellectual prowess. However, from an archaeological viewpoint, the presence of board...