TASK OVERVIEW:

An Assessment of the Mortuary Archaeology of Iron Age Judah and Roman

Greece

For this writing assignment, read the following article: Rife et al 2007.

Drawing upon the information presented in this article together with the

readings and lectures on mortuary archaeology (10/3 and 10/5),

write an essay in which you assess the potential and limitations of using

archaeological remains to understand:

1) the nature of mortuary practices (i.e. what specific things and actions

did the living communities use and perform for their dead) and,

2) what those practices say about the structure and beliefs of ancient

societies. Be sure to base your claims on specific details and evidence

regarding the bench-tombs of Iron Age Judah and the Roman-era cemeteries

at Kenchreai in Greece.

Use parenthetical references or footnotes to document your sources of

evidence.

Your essay should be 5 pages (double-spaced) in length