Grave Matters: What’s the point of the Archaeology of Death?

Recent archaeological research has shed startling new light on the deep-time and complex story of death, burial and commemoration from early prehistory to recent times, but what do we learn about humanity’s engagement with mortality by exploring graves, tombs and cemeteries? Join Professor Howard Williams as he discusses the role of Archaeology in exploring issues relating to death, burial and memory. Lizzy Hathaway-White, Voices Community Producer will then join Howard to discuss her project ‘Memento Mori: 2000 years of Death and Memorialisation in the City of Gloucester’ to talk about unique burials, finds, and practices found in the city.

Howard, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Chester, and creator of Archaeodeath (archaeodeath | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook | Linktree), specialises in the Archaeology of death, burial and commemoration in Medieval Britain. His research spans later prehistory through to modern times, as well as the history and media of the archaeological discipline.

Lizzy Hathaway-White is a Community Producer for Voices Gloucester and former Funeral Director, leading on ‘Memento Mori: 2000 years of Death and Memorialisation in the City of Gloucester’. The project looks at the rich burial traditions, from Iron Age to Modern Day, demonstrated in the city with a feature length documentary due for release in summer 2025.

Doors Open: 10.45am
Show Starts: 11am
Show running time: 2 hours

This event is part of the Gloucester Festival of Archaeology, which is Gloucester's contribution to the Council for British Archaeology's national Festival of Archaeology. The Festival is organised by Gloucester Civic Trust and Gloucester Cathedral in partnership with several organisations and Heritage venues in Gloucester. For more information about Archaeological events in July please see their website: www.gloucesterarchaeologyfestival.co.uk

For more information about Archaeological events across the city, region and nation please see: Festival event listing Council for British Archaeology (archaeologyuk.org).