Perceptions of death during the Viking Age: a focus on objects from burial in the North Atlantic settlement regions of Iceland and Scotland Janis Mitchell, University of Iceland RESULTS… IN PROGRESS
PROPOSED RESULTS
Viking Age burial in Iceland and Scotland
This PhD project focuses on grave goods selected for inclusion in burial within the Viking Age settlement regions of Iceland and Scotland.
Weapon types represented by presence in burial
60 50 40 30 20 10 0
400 300 200 Iceland
100
Scotland
0
140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0
The results of object analysis are used to create a relational database which allows for a statistical overview of the burial assemblage and interpretation of the material in case study focuses. Iceland Scotland
Answering general research questions about the nature and variability of grave goods enables interpretative questions related to the portrayal of identity through object selection in burial practices and how this relates to perception of death to be discussed. The intention of this study is to contribute to a further understanding of perceptions of death during the Viking Age in these North Atlantic settlement regions.
50 40 30 20
Iceland
Iceland
Object classification types represented in burial
arm-ring
finger ring
“pin”
ringed-pin
Scotland Other brooch
Fig.2: Viking Age burial in Iceland (Zugaiar 2011)
disc brooch
bead
0
penannular…
10
Scotland
oval brooch
The focus of my PhD research is the perception of death during the Viking Age in the North Atlantic settlement regions of Iceland and Scotland. The aim of this study is to consider selection procedures for objects placed in graves within these regions as evidenced in the archaeological burial record. Artefacts from burial provide a source of material evidence of how a society treated their dead and in particular what choices were made for inclusion of grave goods in burial practices. The results of object analysis, with an emphasis on the nature and variability of grave goods, will be linked to specific interpretive themes focused on perceptions of death and identity portrayed in death.
pendants
INTRODUCTION
Jewellery types represented by presence in burial
The three case study focuses chosen to discuss thematic research questions include: Fig.1: Viking Age burial in Scotland (McGuire 2009)
1. ‘The Gender Model ‘- Are objects gendered? Is gender (and age ) portrayed in burial? 2. ‘Weapon burials ‘- Are warrior identities portrayed? 3. ‘Grave-good vs. no grave good‘- What and why include objects in burial?
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Research questions asked to achieve these objectives include:
Iceland
Scotland
Object type
Male
Female
Unknown
Male
Female
Unknown
1. What is the nature of grave goods from the region of study? • What are the particular types of objects selected for burial? • How do objects placed in burial relate to the range of objects found in other contexts? Are they a representative cross-section or distinctively different? 2. What variability in the grave goods is apparent? • Are there regional differences in grave good types? • Are there chronological differences? • Are there age/sex differences?
spearhead
14
0
46
7
0
20-24
arrowhead
3 (in1)
0
11 (in 2)
20 (in 6)
0
2
bow
0
0
0
0-1
0
0
axe
7
0
18
9
0
15-16
shield-boss
5
0
11
6
0
22-28
REFERENCES
sword
6-7
0
12-14
6
0
30-31
dagger
2
1
0-2
0-1
0
0-1
seax
0
0
0-1
0-1
0
0
These general questions are asked with the intent of linking them to more specific interpretive themes; particularly cultural, social and personal identity and the perception of death. Do variations in object choice convey differences in death for various members of society; whether regional, family or individual? Or is there evidence of a wider ‘one’ group of (Viking) dead for the North Atlantic settlement regions?
bead
14 (in 5)
228 (in15)
253+ (in26)
4+ (in 2)
91(in 6)
131 (in27)
pendants
1-2
1-3
12-16
0
1
3
oval brooch
0
7 (in 5)
32 (in 19)
0
12 (in 6)
64 (in 36)
Map source: Fig.1 McGuire, E. 2009. Manifestations of Identity in burial: Evidence from Viking Age graves in the North Atlantic Diaspora, unpublished thesis, p 117. Fig.2 Google Earth 2011, created by A. Zugaiar, Accessed July 2013. Base plan source: Kristjánsdóttir, S. 2009. Pórisár Excavation, Iceland. Photo source: Mitchell, J. 2012. courtesy of National Museum of Iceland (shield boss photo by Daxböck,A. 2010)
disc/round brooch
1
0
10
0
1
0-1
chain(with brooch)
0
0
1
0
1
0
tongue-shaped brooch
0
1
1
0
0
0
trefoil brooch
0
2
4
0
0
2
“brooch”
0
0
0
0
5
0-1
penannular brooch
1
0
0
1
4
9
ringed-pin
1
1
4
5
6
17-18
“pin”
1
2
4
6
2
8
necklet
0
0
0
0
0
1
arm-ring
0
2
3
0
2
9
finger ring
0
1
2
0
1
1-2
belt buckle
2
0
6
2
2-4
6
strap end
4
1
3
1
3
2
METHOD The methodological approach of this study is through object analysis, but this is a multi-step process leading to a body of information available for interpretation in relation to research questions posed. Steps include: • Analysis of objects from Viking Age burial in Iceland and Scotland • Creation of a relational database • Statistical overview of the nature and variability of objects • Case study focuses to answer the thematic research questions • Object biographical narratives of select case study examples
Fig.3: A sample of object types (within the classification of weaponry and jewellery) included in burial and categorised by biological sex of the interred from burial in Viking Age Iceland and Scotland
Fig.4: Objects from burial at Þórisár River, Iceland
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Supervisory team: Professor Steinunn Kristjánsdóttir, University of Iceland, Professor Gavin Lucas, University of Iceland, Professor Neil Price, University of Aberdeen, Dr Michele Hayeur-Smith, Brown University Grants to participate in the 17th Viking Congress: The Centre for Research in the Humanities Travel Grant and The Research Fund of The University of Iceland; The Viking Society Research Support Fund
Contact details Janis Mitchell, PhD student, University of Iceland, jkm3@hi.is