University of New Hampshire
McNair Scholar, 2024
Major: Anthropology
Mentor: Dr. Samantha McCrane and PhD candidate, Megan Hanna Fry (University of Florida)
Research Title: Brooches and Identity in Early Medieval Burials in Britain
Abstract:
One of the many ways to learn about past societies is through the study of funerary objects. For cultures that lived during the early medieval period of Britain, especially before the widespread adoption of Christianity, there are few preserved, written records of how people interacted with each other. Therefore, these types of analyses are especially important for illuminating past cultural practices. While brooches were primarily a way to secure clothing, they provided a secondary aspect of being able to ascertain an individual's social standing, which community they are associated with, and aspects of their identity. In addition to typologies, here we examine the spatial distribution of brooch placement within the grave in early medieval burials. This research sheds light on more nuanced aspects of funerary practices, specifically focusing on the individual agency of the deceased, as well as the role of funeral dress played in signaling social status, identity, and community. Analysis of brooches can inform on mobility, ceremony, and identity more broadly during the 5th-9th centuries, providing insight into a period with little written documentation.
