All Hands on Deck: The Role of Ship Burial Reentry in the Maintenance and Construction of Narrative in the Vendel and Viking Periods

Authors

Gina Malfatti, The College of WoosterFollow

Abstract

Reentry of ship and boat burials was a widespread practice during the Vendel, Viking, and Medieval periods. Historically this phenomenon has been attributed to looting for economic gain, but that perception has recently been challenged. Using data from ship and boat burials from across Scandinavia, I suggest trends in reentry and the most likely motivation for reentry at each burial. I use GIS maps to display these trends and motivations across different regions and statistically analyze where there are hot spots of different practices. Using Neil Price’s (2010) model for mortuary drama in Viking Age burial practices, I explore the use of reentry in the creation and maintenance of narrative and collective memory.

Advisor

Kardulias, Nick P.

Department

Archaeology

Recommended Citation

Malfatti, Gina, "All Hands on Deck: The Role of Ship Burial Reentry in the Maintenance and Construction of Narrative in the Vendel and Viking Periods" (2017). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 7845.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/7845

Disciplines

Anthropology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

Viking, Vendel, Ship Burial, Reentry

Publication Date

2017

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis Exemplar