This work brings together all that is currently known of early medieval grave disturbance in Anglo‐Saxon England and on the Merovingian continent. It investigates in detail an intensive outbreak of grave disturbance in 6th‐7th century Kent. This is closely related to the same phenomenon in Merovingia: an example of the import of not only material goods but also a distinctive cultural practice. It is argued that the selection of goods for removal was related to their symbolic roles in the initial burial rite, and further to different ways in which they were owned by and associated with living individuals and groups before burial. Through the selection of artefacts for removal we can see a glimpse of some varied forms of possession which circulated in different ways in early medieval society. Their taking was intended to harm living descendants by undermining memories of burial displays and by damaging the prestige and strength of the dead.
Description:
This work brings together all that is currently known of early medieval grave disturbance in Anglo‐Saxon England and on the Merovingian continent. It investigates in detail an intensive outbreak of grave disturbance in 6th‐7th century Kent. This is closely related to the same phenomenon in Merovingia: an example of the import of not only material goods but also a distinctive cultural practice. It is argued that the selection of goods for removal was related to their symbolic roles in the initial burial rite, and further to different ways in which they were owned by and associated with living individuals and groups before burial. Through the selection of artefacts for removal we can see a glimpse of some varied forms of possession which circulated in different ways in early medieval society. Their taking was intended to harm living descendants by undermining memories of burial displays and by damaging the prestige and strength of the dead.