Grave Disturbances: The Archaeology of Post-depositional Interactions with the Dead

Archaeologists excavating burials often find that they are not the first to disturb the remains of the dead. Graves from many periods frequently show signs that others have been digging and have moved or taken away parts of the original funerary assemblage. Displaced bones and artefacts, traces of pits, and damage to tombs or coffins can all provide clues about post-burial activities.

The last two decades have seen a rapid rise in interest in the study of post-depositional practices in grave...