The topic of death has always been discussed within my family, not because we are morbid but mainly that most of my relatives are historians. I remember once having a discussion with my family about our own burials and funeral and how we would want them to be done. I decided then and there that I would not want to be buried but would like to have my body donated to science, therefore there would be no material goods that would be buried as there would be no burial. However when thinking about what I might want buried with me I decided that either way I would want a grave that could be filled with memories, and my most prized possessions; mainly this would include books, maybe an mp3 player with my favorite music on it, and definitely two wood carved masks I own and my oldest possession, a teddy bear. These items would not just be thrown into a pit but ould be inside a box, preferbly one that looked like the T.A.R.D.I.S(Doctor Who reference for people who don't know this).
I don't know that I would want to send a message to future archaeologists, but it would be interesting to know what they made of the belonging they found in the grave, especially if there was an absence of remains. With enough information stored in records I am sure that archaeologists would be able to realize that the items found were special to me(now that I think about it maybe I will leave a note that relates what items were included and why).
If for some reason I did not pick what items to put into the grave I am sure that the people who know me best would probably include similar items, I can't think that there would be any real random item in there, except if it had some close connection between myself and the person executing this project.
I feel confident that when the time comes and a grave must be filled with my belongings that I will have left instructions or that my family and friends will know exactly what to include.
The hand out we read for class was an excellent example of opposing ideas in any interdisciplinary. Before I made any conclusions about what both of these opinions that were made, I wanted to find out more about the individual person to have an understanding here they are coming from and what give them the authoritative power to speak on this subject.
Luciano Aimar is first and forth-most a dancer, "dance is the only work I have ever done. This is my passion, my love, my life and also what I know and do best(Aimar, A bridge of Roses). He began his own charity to ensure that children got a better education in Madagascar (has no since left the organization) and has spent some time among the Malagasy.
Ramilisonina on the other hand is a native of Madagascar and grew up with many of the traditions that are practiced. He studies mostly Madagascar archaeology from the 15th and 19th century and also is known for his work on European megaliths.
Knowing where these two come from, and their backgrounds help to shed some little on the critique that was written by Mr. Aimar. He seems to think that Ramilisonina is wrong to associate burial rituals that are traditional among the Malagasy but from what I look up and read from his own words was the fact that he only had the word from one person, who is himself an outsider in Madagascar and therefore may not have been given the entire facts about the traditions that he was privy to
Sure, there is nothing wrong with having an opinion on something but to base that opinion on few facts and a small amount of knowledge, whether it be second hand or first had accounts, is not going to win over any hearts. I think more discussion and time to understand why Ramilisonian and Mike Parker Pearson believe there is any connection between Stonehenge and Madagascar burial traditions is the only way to keep research continuing and questions being answered.
Why can't it be true to say that Malagasy people took some of there rituals from ancient people and that those traditions can be seen in the archaeological record present at places like Bluestonehenge. I think that if I had to choose to believe one person more so over the other, I could and would not because I myself have only been privy to a small portion of the larger picture that is being discussed.
My name is Raychel, yes with a 'y',
and I am from Victoria and I am a 4th year Anthropology major. I began my post-secondary
education rather young, at the tender age of 14. Now, before you begin
thinking I am a genius or something I must tell you that I lived in China (for
5 years) with my family and that I was still taking High School courses
too.
I decided that it was
not what I wanted to do and so took many years to finally decide to start over
and forge forth with my education. I started out at Camosun College with the
intention on doing either an Art History major or Biology major, but was
introduced to Anthropology through one of the courses I took there and knew I
had come home. I knew pretty much from the start that I wanted to focus on
forensic and paleo-anthropology with an emphasis on DNA studies.
I have been taking
many biological anthropology courses with a few cultural anthropology and
languages courses thrown in (anyone else speak some Ukrainian!). I plan on
continuing my education and hope to one day gain a PhD, and have begun the
process of figuring out where I want to continue my education.
I decided to take
Anthropology 397: Archaeology of Death, as I have only had courses that are
structured around more recent burials, and usually were judicial cases but
would like to learn more about the customs and practices throughout human
history and thought that this course offered answers to the many burning
questions I have, such as how certain customs began; for instance burying
children in jars, or erecting burial platforms. I look forward to learning
everything that is to be covered in class!
