A ‘civilised’ death? The interpretation of provincial Roman grave good assemblages

TY - CHAP

T1 - A ‘civilised’ death? The interpretation of provincial Roman grave good assemblages

AU - Pearce, Richard John Hunter

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - This paper reviews change in funerary rituals in north-west Europe from the first century BC to early third century AD. Burial practice in this period is often perceived by scholars as conservative, reflecting greater continuity of indigenous Iron Age tradition than other aspects of life under Roman rule. This paper argues that this characterization is flawed, since it underestimates change and, more importantly, evaluates burial practice in isolation, making insufficient use of the contextual evidence available to interpret Roman period mortuary rituals. Taking its cue from the study of prehistoric burials, particular attention is given to the identity for the dead constructed by participants during the funerary ritual from the objects placed with the body or its cremated remains. These recurring symbols embody and evoke an urbane sociability that epitomises ‘Roman’-style savoir faire as much, if not more, than adherence to local tradition.

AB - This paper reviews change in funerary rituals in north-west Europe from the first century BC to early third century AD. Burial practice in this period is often perceived by scholars as conservative, reflecting greater continuity of indigenous Iron Age tradition than other aspects of life under Roman rule. This paper argues that this characterization is flawed, since it underestimates change and, more importantly, evaluates burial practice in isolation, making insufficient use of the contextual evidence available to interpret Roman period mortuary rituals. Taking its cue from the study of prehistoric burials, particular attention is given to the identity for the dead constructed by participants during the funerary ritual from the objects placed with the body or its cremated remains. These recurring symbols embody and evoke an urbane sociability that epitomises ‘Roman’-style savoir faire as much, if not more, than adherence to local tradition.

KW - Roman archaeology funerary Britain Gaul cremation

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9781782976394

SP - 223

EP - 248

BT - Death and Changing Rituals. Function and Meaning in Ancient Funerary Practices

A2 - Brandt, Rasmus

A2 - Roland, Hakon

A2 - Prusac, Marina

PB - Oxbow

CY - Oxford

ER -