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University of London Deviant Burials in Viking-Age

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University of London Deviant Burials in Viking-Age UNIVERSITY OF LONDON DEVIANT BURIALS IN VIKING-AGE SCANDINAVIA Ruth Lydia Taylor M. Phil, Institute of Archaeology, University College London UMI Number: U602472 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U602472 Published by ProQuest LLC 2014. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 ABSTRACT DEVIANT BURIALS IN VIKING-AGE SCANDINAVIA The thesis brings together information yielded from archaeology and other sources to provide an overall picture of the types of burial practices encountered during the Viking-Age in Scandinavia. From this, an attempt is made to establish deviancy. Comparative evidence, such as literary, runic, legal and folkloric evidence will be used critically to shed perspective on burial practices and the artefacts found within the graves. The thesis will mostly cover burials from the Viking Age (late 8th century to the mid- 11th century), but where the comparative evidence dates from other periods, its validity is discussed accordingly. Two types of deviant burial emerged: the criminal and the victim. A third type, which shows distinctive irregularity yet lacks deviancy, is the healer/witch burial. From these results, the changing role of the female as primitive healer/witch, whose status changed from being an accepted, if not revered, part of pagan society, into a feared and deviant individual during the Christian period will be focused upon. A brief summary of the use of witchcraft and seidr is thus included. The burials identified as exhibiting deviant characteristics are then compared, in order to interpret these graves on a local, national or pan-Scandinavian basis. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many thanks must go to my supervisor, Professor James Graham-Campbell, without whom I could not have produced this thesis, and who provided encouragement together with helpful comments and references throughout the subject. In addition, I would like to thank Gu3run Nordal and Svanhildur Oskarsdottir for their guidance in the early stages of my investigations into the role of the female within Norse literature and history. I would additionally thank Anne-Sofie Graslund for her help with references and guidance on the Swedish material, and both Mjoll Snaesdottir and Vilhjalmur Om Vilhjalmsson for their help on obtaining and directing me towards some of the Icelandic material. My thanks also go to Andrew Reynolds and the staff and librarians at UCL and the Institute of Archaeology, as well as to the library staff at Carolina Rediviva, Uppsala and Statens Historiska Museet, Stockholm. TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract.................................................................................................................................................... 1 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................. 11 Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................... ^ List of Illustrations ................................................................................................................................ List of Tables......................................................................................................................................... Introduction .................................................................. ............................................................................ 1 1. Choice of Topic.............................................................................................................................. 1 2. The Period of Time Covered .......................................................................................................... 1 3. The Socially Deviant and Outcasts .................................................................................................2 Archaeology......................................................................................................................................2 4. The Female, the Healer/Witch and Magic During the Viking Age and Early Christian Period... 3 Magic, Witchcraft and Sorcery ........................................................................................................ 4 5. Sacrifice.......................................................................................................................................... 5 6. Comparative Evidence and Inter-Disciplinary Study ..................................................................... 5 Medieval Texts ................................................................................................................................. 6 Folklore.............................................................................................................................................7 Medieval Scandinavian Laws ........................................................................................................... 8 Runic Evidence .................................................................................................................................8 Anglo-Saxon Evidence ..................................................................................................................... 9 7. Summary and Structure of Thesis .................................................................................................. 9 Chapter 1................................................................................................................................................. 11 Introduction to Burials in Viking-Age Scandianvia 1. Regular Burials: Defining Deviancy ............................................................................................ 11 Geographic Location.......................................................................................................................11 Dating..............................................................................................................................................11 Sexing the Skeletons .......................................................................................................................12 Cremation and Inhumation ..............................................................................................................12 2. Cremations ........................................................ 12 3. Inhumations .................................................................................................................................. 13 Single and Multiple Burial ..............................................................................................................13 Treatment of the Corpse ..................................................................................................................14 Live Burial ......................................................................................................................................15 Grave Linings, Coffins and Chambers ............................................................................................15 4. Grave Goods and Dress Accessories ............................................................................................ 16 M ale................................................................................................................................................ 16 Female.............................................................................................................................................16 5. Graveside Rituals ......................................................................................................................... 17 Charcoal..........................................................................................................................................17 6. Markers of Inhumation and Cremation Graves ............................................................................ 17 7. Conversion Period ........................................................................................................................ 18 8. Summary - Criteria for Establishing Deviant and Healer/Witch Burials ......................................20 Chapter 2 .................................................................................................................................................23 Burials in Viking-Age Denmark 1. Geographic Area and Background to Denmark ...........................................................................23 2. Traditional Period Divisions in Denmark .....................................................................................23 3. General Dating of Burials .............................................................................................................23 4. Pagan Burial in Denmark - General .............................................................................................24 5. Cremations ...................................................................................................................................24
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