Dining with M. — How Mary C. Beaudry Brought Seeds, Bones and Sherds Back to Life

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "“Historical Archaeology with Canon on the Side, Please”: In Honor of Mary C. Beaudry (1950-2020)" , at the 2022 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Like no other, Mary looked beyond sherds to whole plates, cups, mugs, and jugs — and beyond these — to the vibrant assemblage of practice they were part and parcel of in everyday life. Her emphasis on mealtimes as “embodied experiences” and “total events”, where people and things were enveloped by an ambiance of sounds, smells, sights and tastes, and her vast knowledge, deft analytical eye, and charismatic prose resulted not only in outstanding microhistories, but in unrivalled micro-historical archaeologies. Mary’s untimely loss leaves us all with the many memorable meals we shared with her — be they oysters in a gastropub in Williamsburg, or “mutton roasted & pudding” at an elegant supper on a Newbury farm. Let us honor M.’s memory and celebrate her legacy in historical archaeology by following in her large footsteps and continuing to bring seeds, bones, and sherds carefully and creatively back to life.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• “Historical Archaeology with Canon on the Side, Please”: In Honor of Mary C. Beaudry (1950-2020)   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2022

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology