Friday, January 21, 2011

Grave Goods


Perhaps a bit of a morbid way to start off my blog, (never mind my morning!), I want to talk about the sorts of material goods I would choose to have buried with me. 
                 
Thinking about this really reminded me of “time capsule” projects my elementary teachers used to have their classes do; a fairly similar concept in that you want whatever is buried with you to represent who you were in your life.  I suppose the key difference here would be the assumption that a time capsule would be re opened in the future versus a grave being left (hopefully) undisturbed.
                 
As a disclaimer, I don’t really see myself being chucked into a grave when I die, but for the sake of interest let’s say that I do!
                 
If it were entirely at my own discretion to choose my grave goods, I would choose things that held a lot of meaning for the people I left behind, as well as things that showed what I valued and loved during my life:

1.       Photos, or some visual/written/symbolic representation of my family
My family and I are very close, and they are obviously a major part of my life.  I feel that this would be meaningful not only to me, but to whomever I left behind to know they were cared for.

2.       Something like a passport/plane ticket
I have spent the majority of my life – thus far – travelling from place to place.  I spent most of my childhood living in Asia, and I feel that my experiences living overseas, and experiences drastically foreign cultures helped shape who I am today.  

3.        Engraved tablet or book with notes from people who were in my life
I think it would be meaningful to my friends and family to give their last goodbyes/sentiments/ stories/jokes etc. about me and have those memories preserved.  I’m not very into ceremony, and am highly opposed to any sort of sentimental/religious funeral so I think that giving people a chance to express their feelings about how they remember me would be appropriate.


I can’t really think of anything else to add at the moment, but I think it’s worth mentioning that my personal views on death, and it being an ultimate end to any sort of cognition or being, probably make planning such a symbolic, beautiful ritual less magical for me!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Anth 392 Intro

Hello All!

As you probably gathered from my blog name, my name is Alex.  I am in my third year at UVic planning on completing an honours degree in Anthropology with a minor in Religious Studies by 2012.  I took this course primarily to fill my remaining required units of archaeology, but also because I am fascinated by the effects that culture and - more specifically - religion play on death and ritual.  I had originally hoped to take Anth 392 last summer when the topic was on Vikings, and am incredibly excited that we will be learning about Viking burial and ritual in this course! 

That's about all I can think to say for now; have a fabulous weekend guys!