Keeping the Dead Close

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Embodied Essence: Anthropological, Historical, and Archaeological Perspectives on the Use of Body Parts and Bodily Substances in Religious Beliefs and Practices" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

This paper explores the use of anatomical body parts—namely, skulls and crania—in the Neolithic of southwest Asia. It is clear that for many, the dead were kept close to the living, with their remains physically used by the living. Discussing plastered skull, the paper explores potential beliefs around practices where the remains of the dead are retained; in particular, arguing that there may have been a desire for the dead to maintain a place a their communities beyond the grave. This debate is set in a broader context of theories of grief and loss, suggesting a desire to maintain “continuing bonds” with the deceased.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Embodied Essence: Anthropological, Historical, and Archaeological Perspectives on the Use of Body Parts and Bodily Substances in Religious Beliefs and Practices   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 39623.0