ABSTRACT
Cemetery studies is a subfield of historical archaeology that concentrates on “above-ground” archaeology focused on the study of tombstones, monuments, mausoleums, statues, fences, pathways, and the landscape design of cemeteries. This chapter examines the theories used and the themes archaeologists have explored globally in gravestone and cemetery studies. The focus is on gravestone and cemetery studies in the United States and the Commonwealth of Nations formerly known as the British Commonwealth. We examine the archaeological investigations of religion, ethnicity, race, gender, class, consumer behavior, cultural landscapes, and even the emotional experience as expressed through the stones. We discuss symbols in regard to the carvers, the consumer, the agency of the individuals, and what the symbols may mean to different audiences.
