| Abstract: |
'It cannot be enough to excavate a cemetery and publish a long list of grave goods. Every bit of evidence must be wrung from the cemetery' (Jones, p 93), and this volume's papers develop that theme. Tania Dickinson's introduction (11-33) outlines the present state of research and E James (35-55) surveys Merovingian cemeteries and their relevance to AS studies; he emphasizes the importance of regional studies. The new theoretical approaches are treated in five papers. R Chapman (57-79) offers a prehistorian's perspective, arguing that archaeological patterns reflect human behaviour. C Arnold (81-142) adopts numerous new types of analysis, eg proportional wealth, trade competition, etc, to trace social, economic, and temporal change within and between regions; Kent's pre-eminence is clear. E J Pader (143-59) is concerned with elucidating social organization through the symbolism of the totality of the burial ritual; but I Hodder (161-9) argues from ethnographic evidence that cemetery data only reflect attitudes to death, not the realities of social behaviour. Summing up the range of current theoretical approaches, R Bradley (171-6) suggests ethnicity, integrated settlement/cemetery studies, and alternative ways of 'destroying' wealth among appropriate future research topics. A section on methodology and techniques contains R Jones (179-95) on the use of computers (cluster analysis) for studying cemetery data, searching for internal patterns and then explanations. The reasons for excavating a large cremation cemetery (Spong Hill) are given by C Hills (197-207) with a preliminary account of its discernible patterns; and there follow two specialist papers on Spong Hill, M Brisbane on the pottery fabric analysis (209-16), and G Putnam on the skeletal material (217-19). Practical problems of the skeletal material of Loveden Hill are treated by L Wilkinson (221-31), while D Powlesland (233-8) discusses the excavation, recording, analysis, and publication of inhumation cemeteries. Even a small (c 50-grave) inumation cemetery like Sewerby needs the full analytical approach - S Hirst (239-52). Section D, Area and Site Studies, contains M Welch (255-83) examining 5th-8th century cemeteries of Sussex (such as Alfriston and Highdown) in terms of social structure and their implications for RB-AS settlement. B N Eagles (285-7) offers an amended summary of his Humberside monograph. A gazetteer of AS cemeteries in Bernicia is provided by R Miket (289-305), paying attention to Yeavering and reassessing theories of British-Anglian relationships. Results from Christchurch cemetery are summarized by K Jarvis (307-9). A section devoted to Sutton Hoo is introduced by P Rahtz (313-26) who had canvassed opinion on the ethics and feasibility of fresh excavations there. The mainly negative view of the conference is countered by W Rodwell (327-9), V Fenwick (331-3), and by H Vierck who argues the need to elucidate some general problems of the Sutton Hoo region before returning to the ship-burial (335-42). Vierck (343-55) and V Evison (357-61) debate her interpretation of a coffin in the ship: and M Spratling (363-9) discusses the metrological significance of the Sutton Hoo coins. The final section, on post-pagan cemeteries, has contributions by A Boddington (373-8) on the Raunds Christian cemetery; J Graham-Campbell (379-82) on the problems of identifying Viking burials in England; and L Butler (383-9) on the various elements contributing to development of churchyards in E England, AD 900-1100. D G/Ed |
