The Right to Land

The topic covered in class today on repatriation and determining what archaeological finds should be put on display had me thinking of a childhood experience. It may not be a single grave good, but an entire piece of property that was under fire between the Cowichan Tribes and a local developer George Schmidt.

I grew up in what began as a small neighbourhood where a total of 5 streets were built during the '70s and remained undeveloped until the mid '90s. There was a massive forest, field, and plenty of mischief for a kid to get up to. In other words a child's mecca. Needless to say I spent most of my childhood roaming with the local suburban gang on our bikes discovering what we considered unchartered territory. Who knew that the area we considered a Indiana adventure would turn into a real life archeological discovery.

In 1992, Schmidt discovered remains of what was described as an ancient Native burial ground (Click here for more information). In the eyes of a seven year old girl who spent every summer in that very spot, it was both magical and annoying. I thought they were digging up dinosaur bones and had recurring dreams (that I still remember to this day) of finding massive t-rex skulls and showing my impressive assemblage to my mom in our kitchen. However, the discovery of the burial ground was not so magical, but definitely controversial. Initially the excavators discovered 11 sets of individuals remains; in 1994 there was a second excavation that uncovered another 25 individuals.

Layers uncovered during excavation.
From: http://www.yeyumnuts.net/category/primaryvocab/images

Now this area remains untouched by the developer as the Cowichan Tribes had declared that no further disturbance of the area was permitted. Twenty years later, the developer George Schmidt demands that the Provincial or Federal Government pay for the loss he has incurred, or the Cowichan Tribes buy back the land (who declared they cannot afford the 3 million bill associated with the property). George Schmidt goes as far as complaining to the media about the $500,000 bill associated with the archaeological digs that he had to pay for. This complaint made me particularly angry, these costs are within the hazards of buying a piece of property anywhere in B.C. and it would be stated in the contract that any excavations would have to be covered by the owner. Even if this property was purchased before this was law, the developer should remain up to date on property law.

I am also in complete compliance with the tribes barring Schmidt development of the land. This is an area that was considered extremely important by Cowichan Tribe's ancestors as well as becoming integrated into their current heritage. Including respecting the local belief system of not disturbing those who have passed because in many ways they are still present. But, also for the preservation of a gorgeous piece of land next to Somenoes creek. However, the costs associated with excavations are within the costs associated with buying a piece of property anywhere in B.C. and should have no bearing on the cost of the land.

By the time I left Timbercrest had become a grotesque development. A pimple on a once pristine land. The area had become so developed that there was barely any forest left, and certainly no massive field with the scariest hill a child could take her bike down. As said before, this discovery was a blessing, especially to my inner child who is comforted by the thoughts of the past and joys of summers spent in the forest next to my home.

Call me sentimental but this should not be disturbed.
From: http://www.yeyumnuts.net/category/primaryvocab/images

Egocentrism: a Rant of Sorts.

         Over the past few classes I have caught myself thinking something I have come to consider maladaptive. When discussing case studies I often find myself wondering, is this what their culture has intended for our culture to find 100's (and in some cases 1000's) of years down the road? My first thought was: I would make an awful archaeologist. Second thought was: I am a westerner. For some reason this status alone allows a tendency to rely on egocentric thinking. But to me the idea that I have become so engaged in a question that does not seem plausible is almost fascinating.

         I have found it increasingly difficult to disengage myself from the fact that archaeologists are digging up graves to interpret how a past society may have operated. I keep wondering if this is how they wanted us to find them. I understand in this weeks reading of Gillespie's, Personhood, Agency and Mortuary Ritual: A case study from the Ancient Maya, the Ancient Maya could have manipulated their written record in order shine a favourable light onto a particular leader. But I find myself applying that to graves as well. Would the Mayan culture, and others, also engage in placing grave goods and shrines for the purpose of foreigners to see how amazing they were?


        Surely there would not have been burial procession so long ago with even a slight intention of a foreign culture digging up their loved ones for the purpose of interpretation. This issue has created conflict between the archaeological community and ancestors of excavated graves. I believe that archaeology is just a reason to understand how the people of the past (who archaeologists believe are connected to us through collective identity) somehow is being compared to our lives today. This connection is long gone. Cognitive thinking has evolved and the reasons for people of the past engaging in burial is not for our benefit. Has anyone ever informed the archaeological community that dwelling in the past has potentially negative impacts in the future? This makes me question the first blog prompt we received this semester, asking what would be in our graves. This becomes an even more egocentric view of what we want people in the future to perceive our society or us as an individual. In the end, practicing the placing of grave goods today, puts food on the plates of starving archaeologists tomorrow.


       However, this could just be my own personal misinterpretation of the entire field of archaeology.

From: http://www.ahajokes.com/cartoon/future.gif

Analyzing the United States Holocaust Museum Website

            When analyzing sites pertaining to the holocaust and mass burials why not look at a high standard set by the United states Holocaust Museum. This web site is full of useful information pertaining to the horrendous time during WWII when the lives of many Jewish families were turned upside down, followed by a country in denial for decades after the fact. As a counter attack to ignorance, a memorial project was created and this website was its product.

 Presentation        
             To receive top marks for Organization and presentation the website should be easy to navigate while not distracting from the material being presented. Presence of visual aids are essential but should not detract from text content, and all visual aids should have captions and references. The information should be easily accessible. Overall, an aesthetically pleasing site should be presented.

           The presentation of the website was overall very accessible as well as easy to navigate. There was just the right amount of images placed on the introductory page and most of the visual aids throughout the website relevant to the subject being discussed. The only issue with the visual aids was on the introductory or navigational page, there was a .gif image that was in rotation and the constant flashing distracted me from wanting to explore the text on the page. This would be one piece that I would preferentially not want on the WWII website.

           

Overall Oraganization and Presentation – 8/9

Sources


            For a site to be considered academic the presence of scholarly sources should be present. To excel in this dimension the site should have all sources that are relevant to the topic and are archaeologically or historically sound sources. The sources must be cites and listed properly while maintaining a sufficient amount of sources and sufficient amount of scholarly sources.

            Sources for this website almost seem irrelevant. This is the source. As described on the website, many scholars have partaken in this project conducting longitudinal research in order to inform the public that is accessible for everyone. There is also access to resources that have been published by, and outside of the Holocaust Museum.

Sources – 6/6 (If considering the sources are relevant)

Research Questions

            Research questions should be neither too broad or narrow and they need to go beyond the obvious and clearly present depth of thought while being clearly relevant to mortuary archaeology.

            Although the topics the Holocaust museum covers is vastly more broad than the scope my group is covering, they are able to cover the breadth with well researched material including links to other sites or material that a visitor could access without a fee. Although according to our rubic is must be relevant to mortuary archaeology, this web site is mainly historical information. But after a search there appears to be a fair amount of interaction between the historical and archaeology community for what excavations have and are currently taking place relevant to the holocaust.

Research Questions – 5/6

Written Communication

            Grammer and spelling are imperative to a well written web site and should be mistake free. Writing should flow well, is easy to follow, while being coherent. The scope presented should be communicated and articulated. All sources should be sited properly in the text.

            The written communication on this web site is clear, consice and created in such a way that an audience of a vast spectrum can easily access and understand the material. The writing has also been approached in a sensitive manner while still  relevant and can draw the reader in. There are almost no mistakes present on this web site creating a flow that is easy to follow including redirection to further research other material.

Written Communication – 6/6

Content and Data

            For content and data sources are not just used for information but are used as a starting point for insightful analysis and conclusions. Evidence needs to clearly support the conclusions being reached with relevant information. The web site needs to acknowledge opposing information and refutes it convincingly.

            The Holocaust Museum is a strong starting point to reach insightful analysis and conclusions. Although the information can appear to be clear cut when pertaining to the Holocaust, their website is able to communicate all arguments in a clear manner.

Content and Data – 9/9

            Overall this website is an excellent source covering a wide range of topics related to the Holocaust. It was very difficult to mark this website since I feel I have a personal bias. However, I tried to view it from a third party and take all material into consideration. I do not think there is much room for growth on this website as it offers everything from research projects, to information for students and the public of any age, maybe some more material related to archaeology as it is becoming more common to excavate sites surrounding the Holocaust. While my team may not be able to reach the excelled stylizing of a trained web site expert, I hope we can take the flow and appeal of this web site and apply it to our project.

Overall Score – 34/36 = 94%

Love, Death, and Childhood Understandings.

Children and death could be a very sensitive subject to touch on. Does a child actually know what is going on? I would definitely think they do, but of course considering the cognitive development of a child, it would not be a way that we would think of first.

I was a very fortunate as a child not to experience death. However, before I was born my family had. My mother had lost her first born about three weeks after her birth. Kira-Lynn looked like a perfectly healthy baby however her heart was basically on the wrong side of her body meaning that her time on earth would be limited.

Growing up my parents never hid the fact that there was a child before my sister and I. Her baby photos where on display and my mom always left any topic open for discussion. I remember being completely fascinated that I had a sister in heaven. To me she was an angel in my life, she always had my back and looked out for her younger sister. I remember fascinating over what she would be like if she was still alive. What would she look like? Would I have a better relationship with her than I did with my sister?

I remember a day when I was brought to see her grave in Port Hardy. Seeing where she was buried had not impacted me nearly as much as the open discussions I had with my mother. To me the plaque was just a stone in the ground that marked a name. Maybe I was a little nervous about the idea that there was dead bodies everywhere in the cemetery there may be a chance that they would come through the earth to get me (I had an odd fascination with scary movies, and a very vivid imagination). But to me the idea of her presence took precedence over a marker in the ground. She will always be with me, we will always be hanging out as sisters do.

Today I can only imagine the heartbreak that could accompany what happened to my parents 29 years ago.  I do not think a day goes by without my mom thinking about her. What mother could not? For me, since she was not physically in my life, I do not. But since I was a child, death to me meant another person who could somehow be closer to me.

Gay Cavemen?

First thing that came into my mind when given a blog prompt to google "gay caveman" was: what is the relevance? Then, an image close to the one below popped into my mind. Really, lets think about this. Burials are already ambiguous, so to draw a conclusion such as a gay caveman is fairly far fetched. Sexual orientation as far as I know, is NOT a pathology. So was it two men buried together? Does this mean that they are gay? Or is it, once again, North American cultural rose coloured lens being drawn over this idea?

Gay Caveman? or North American Lens perpetuated stereotype? Slightly hilarious either way...
from: http://www.disclose.tv/forum/gay-caveman-found-t48768.html

A quick google confirmed some of my questions. It was a Corded Wear Culture burial of a man in a way that archaeologists consider to be exclusively reserved for women. Surprise, surprise. As I have already learned from this class, there are so many ways to bury the dead. Sometimes (okay, most of the time), these lines according to burial are not clearly cut. There are many exceptions to many situations, cultures, and status; especially when it comes to burials. So google's findings on 'gay cavemen' leaves an awful taste in my mouth.

That being said. Every archaeologist is entitled to their opinion. An opinion does not mean it is right, or wrong. Archaeology is a science! So this also does not mean I have any sort of right of tearing him a...um...slightly larger supraorbital torus?

Who knows, maybe this is a sign of possibly a different gender status of this individual? Either way, 'gay cavemenn' could lead to some lovely scholastic "my point is bigger and more complex than yours" debate. But really, who doesn't love a good show.

Anglican Burials in Victoria late 1800's to early 1900's

For the monument analysis our group decided on a small Anglican section of the Ross Bay Cemetery. According the Old Cemetery Society of Victoria (2011), it is considered to be Section A, a part of the original Ross Bay Cemetery that was first in use in 1872 and is still in use today, it is also the section with the first burial.

       The first feature noticed was the stark contrast between monuments of the families and the individual plots. All the family plots are from the same time frame, have more detail, and are all standing markers. This is unlike that of an individual plot: most are flat stones, with the name and date of birth as well as death. This could be interpreted as family wealth versus individual wealth, a family would have cumulative wealth and considering that the family will all be buried there, more money would be put into one more elaborate marker compared to an individual, who unless was a prominent figure in Victoria’s society, would not have a considerable amount of money put into the grave marker.

Grave 5, 6, 7

           However, one family monument stands out, graves five, six, and seven follow the same schema of design according the family monuments in section A, however there are three individual standing markers opposed to one like the other family plots. When first considered, a time lapse was present between the three markers allowing the possibility for a new style to emerge in Victoria. However, as the first two plots have a seven year separation and maintain the same time frame as the other family monuments studied, it could be a possibility of family choice. Of these three plots, the first wife’s plot is especially ornamental, there is a considerable amount of detail to the grave. She is buried to the right of her husband, who’s grave marker is considerably less ornate. This could be contradictory to the family dynamics of the era, where the man was considered head of house. However, the position could maintain with the dynamics since he is the center plot. The difference in styles could also be contributed to the different time period of burial. By the time the husband was buried there is a possibility that less ornate markers were in fashion.

          In grave five there seems to be part of the marker missing. By observing the other standing markers in our analysis two of the three family monuments from that period have a urn shaped ornament on the top, there is a possibility that it broke off from the small neck, or it could have been a cross like that of the first wife’s grave maker (grave seven).

Grave 10 - Stylized Marker

            Most of the individual graves seem to maintain some consistency. Although there are two that are standing monuments, they still seem to fit the same style of those who have flat grave markers. The individual marks could be separated into two groups: those with simple, less ornate rectangular surface markers, and the second being those with shape and some ornate detail being both standing and surface markers. Once again, this could be down to finances, those with less financial stability may not be able to afford the markers with detail, unlike that of the wealthier burials.

Grave 9 - Simple Marker

Another interesting side note from the monuments we have analyzed. I wondered what could have been the difference in price for a “plot with a view”, that is, is it more lucrative to be buried closer to the ocean and have a fantastic view for your afterlife. Turns out my initial thoughts were quite wrong, according to the Old Cemetery Society of Victoria (2011), only non-Christians were buried in the southeast corner facing the ocean. This was also confirmed by an article published at the time of these burials stating that Anglican burials should be segregated from "nonconformist Christians" (Curteis, 1877). Apparently during this time, being this close to the ocean had a higher risk of graves being swept into the ocean.

References

Curteis, G.H. 1877, "Burial Laws, An "Anglican" View of the",Macmillan's Magazine, vol. 37, pp. 505.

Ross Bay Cemetery, 2011. Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria. [online] Available at:

             <http://www.oldcem.bc.ca/cem_rb.htm>  [Accessed 17 February 2012].

Pagan Funeral for the Modern Man

Odd the internet can be when you are able to search for something as complex as a traditional Pagan funerary practice and come up with step by step instructions for one's own modern day Pagan ritual.

This started with a flashback to four years ago when my close friend went on a tirade on his interpretation of Pagan traditions to fit his lifestyle and personal choices. To him Pagan gave him an excuse to cop out on all arbitrary holidays (Valentines, Halloween, Christmas etc.). Once the holiday would come near his answer to what plans he was making for the holiday would be returned with what the pagan ideal tradition should be and how our society is making a complete mess out of pagan traditions.

So after a debate on whether or not I should find a scholarly article to support the idea of a pagan burial, I was tempted by google, what a wonderful source for satire worthy information. Turns out google had a bundle of equally opinionated pagan followers willing to guide my friend to his traditional pagan funeral.

The following link has a step by step detailed plan on what to do to be buried in a pagan ritual, a list of requirement listed like a grocery list and a possibly very mistranslated "traditional" chant. To how you have to be cremated and what sort of celebration should take place.

This website made me wonder if it would be taken serious, after all it managed to make the top five of the google search list. What purpose would one use this website for, either than as an example of what not to use as a scholarly source and more of a joke you could send to you friend. Maybe I should send it to my friend so he could further tell me the wonders of pagan burial. Though, as I know him, he would scoff at my horrendous choice of a unscholarly article.

http://homepage.eircom.net/~liossa/home/burial.htm

If I was dead....

How morbid. I would be lying to say I have put a lot of into my own funeral. In fact, when my mother talks to me about how she wants to be remembered (this has been a very open subject since I was very little) I go into a some form of deep panic at the thought of her not being around. If I panic about the one I love the most, then the thought of my not being on this earth anymore puts me into a mind space I do not want to be in.

When thinking about how I want archaeologists to find me is completely idealistic. How can you fit something into a coffin that explains the complete context of your life? If not, how you do figure out what could only explain maybe a part of you, will your family be willing to accept that you want to be discovered in the distant future, in a coffin, full of things? I am sure there will be massive differences between what you want to be remembered for and how they want you to be remembered, or is there possibly a comfortable middle road for both parties to agree on.

I think of material goods when I think of how I will be discovered in the future. I suppose the only reason I connect the two is because you cannot look at a pile of bones and understand the consciousness or complete context on what the individual is all about without some sort of material good to integrate your knowledge.

This is where family relations could be awkward at a request like this. Should I  possibly fill it with goods that our society deems to be useless. Possibly, drape myself in tacky gold jewellery that reflects Mr.T in the good old days of the A-team, including a 5 finger ring, and a thick gold chain with a massive pendant. Maybe add some form of gold genitalia covering so they could think of our society is some form of pagan ritualistic nymphomaniac well... I hope you get the point. Include some wine glasses, because we are a society of overconsumption.  Maybe I should be laying on a bed of feathers, surrounded by dollar bills, with two male slaves on either side of me, this will further deepen the beliefs of the archaeologists that my society was one of pagan nymphomaniac ritualism.

From: http://marcschuster.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/mr-t1.jpg

Putting things that are not of any relevance really makes you wonder if the people of the past were really just putting one over us. If really all the beautiful interpretations we have received over the years providing many with a sense of fascination, was really our history just having a laugh.

However, this is reality. Our interpretations are all we have so to pull one over on the society which uncovers us could entail letting our current society down.

I would want to say if inhumation was the way I decide to be immortalized (by the looks of everyone's blog last week that really isn't the only possible way, and those themselves are saying a lot to the future), I would want the future to know that my nuclear family really was the most important part of my life. This could be some form of engraved stone with a photo of all us, this could also be on the grave marker, but if it was close to my body it could be interpreted as important. Really this is what it comes down to, there's so many things I really like, and if they were not in my life presently I would be a sad person. But really if there was anything to pass onto the generation that discovers me is that it really is not what the climate of the politics, or my personal individual status, but really my amazing family who has supported every step I have taken since I was able to walk.

I wish I was amazing and I could super impose
this image into the other one, but I'm not, this is my
dad, Len.

Mom and I before I left for NZ, amazing goggle tan and all

Sarah Burke

From: http://www.powdermag.com/files/2012/01/pw-sarah-burke-portrait.jpg

I will have a proper Anth 392 blog in a bit when I get some resources for an original funerary practice. But I had just been told that Sarah Burke passed away a couple hours ago.

For all of you who have not heard, she sustained a massive injury to one of the main arteries. The hospital was able to repair it, however she was left with serious irreversible brain damage. After a induced coma, she passed away.

Sarah Burke was a huge inspiration for many girls who where getting into any freestyle riding. Although I don't ski, I was in awe every time I watched her in videos, on TV, and live while I was living in Whistler. She was such an inspiration for girls getting into the park scene to push themselves to keep up with the boys (who are crazy). She threw down the most ridiculous tricks anyone could do, stomp them, then ride away like it was no big deal. She actually made skiing cool again.

With such a huge celebrity for the snowboard/ski scene, it makes me wonder what sort of memorial will be created in her honour? Sarah has been to so many resorts and implanted herself into the life of each town they resided in, it will definitely be world wide. As with tradition in ski videos, most of this seasons snowboard and ski videos will be dedicated to her with some of her progression throughout her career shown for public display.

Sarah was also involved in many volunteer/fundraising for those who are less privileged or in need to help, any donations in her honour have been asked to be made out to www.giveforward.com/sarahburke. This is an example common in our society, where monetary donations are given to a foundation that is supported by a celebrity, or the creation of a foundation in support of whatever ailment the deceased succumbed to.

Either way, thanks Sarah for being an inspiration to push for what you want. You'll be throwing it down in the big puffy pow clouds in heaven...

Well Hello There...

Why hello Anth 392, and possibly my parents. I am completely new to this blogging deal, I see many do it, so why not give in to peer pressure? Or possibly obligation for marks...

So I suppose I need to say a little bit about myself. Let me first get this off my chest, I am completely and utterly SHY! Phew... it's hard coming out of the shy closet, since most of us are too shy to venture into the crazy world outside of it. So the idea of being in a class where you cannot be shy scares the daylights out of me. But this is exactly what I have searched for since I graduated high school.

Although I am very quiet and shy, I have not let this stop me from anything I have really wanted. After high school I attempted school, turns out not everyone is ready for that right out of the gates of high school. So I spent the next seven years traveling and learning what I thought to be a lot more than I did out of a text book. I did the fieldwork before the theory? Either way, I moved from ski hill to ski hill, got into competitive slope style snowboarding... then onto Europe where I traveled for a year. I came home to find out how bored I was of sedentary life, so I moved to New Zealand for a season of snowboarding in Wanaka (in the middle of the South Island, surrounded by about 4 different resorts to choose from, AKA my personal heaven). Then some more travels around North America.

Traveling lasted until last year, when I entered my 23rd year for the second time, I decided I wanted to go back to school, operative word want. I want to learn anything that strikes my interest, I do not think it matters whether or not it can be applied to later life, learning for learning's sake is probably the best thing I discovered in my travels to find myself (still looking). So now, I am an Anthropology major enjoying the stress of school and the interesting subjects the field has to offer.  I am also a scaffolder in Fort McMurray during the summer to help support my learning habits, a place that has inspired many term papers, also an excellent conversation starter as it turns out.

Either than that, I look forward to the painfully slow process of my shy self getting to know everyone in the class.