Death Across Oceans: Archaeology of Coffins and Vaults in Britain, America, and Australia

Book excerpt: Death Across Oceans: Archaeology of Coffins and Vaults in Britain, America, and Australia brings together the leading researchers in historic mortuary practice from Britain, North America, and Australia. It is the first book dedicated to the material culture associated with burial in the historic, English-speaking world. It combines reflections and evaluations from the pioneer scholars who initiated research in this field during the 1980s with studies by young scholars now pushing the research into a new and wider range of issues. This volume will be the seminal work in this field for some time, providing key analyses and essential bibliographic routes into site-specific literature, and setting the research agenda for the future.