Excel and Access in Anthropology

This week I was given the opportunity to use both Excel and Access while doing a worksheet in my archaeology class. I have used both programs in the past but not extensively, just to do a couple little graphs. Although I found that I had troubles doing a couple things, I see the overall importance of programs like this in collecting and analysing large amounts of data. Without this technology I would have had to count everything and make graphs by hand which would have increased the likelihood of human error exponentially. I wonder how others feel about this technology? Like it, hate it, have never actually used it? If you have time answer the poll to the right!

Icelandic Burial Practices?

In May and June of 2013 I spent about a month hiking, camping, and basically exploring the wonderful country of Iceland. Not only does the country have spectacular natural wonders to marvel over but it also has amazing little museums all over the country that give a lot of insight into the early settlement of Iceland. One of the most interesting exhibits that I saw was the Settlement Exhibition. Located in Reykjavik it is actually built around an archaeological excavation of what is believed to be the earliest house in Iceland. Although this site itself does not pertain to the study of archaeology of death it got me thinking about this subject as it pertains to Iceland. I think it would be interesting to look at burial practices in Iceland from all historical periods. I also think it would be fascinating to look at the Viking burials in Iceland to see if there were noticeable differences between them and Viking Burials found in other parts of Europe during the same time. Due to Iceland’s lack of resources (i.e. wood) it would be interesting to evaluate whether cremations occurred or weather they were rare. Another aspect I would like to know more about, and this isn’t just confined to Iceland, is in situations where bodies are not recovered (i.e. volcanic eruptions, missing hikers, landslides, jökulhlaups, etc) are the funerals and burials the same as when there is a body? Are there aspects (other then no body) that show archaeologist that these burials are different?

Below are a couple of my pictures from the settlement exhibition. They do not really do it justice but you get the idea!

 

 

http://www.minjasafnreykjavikur.is/english/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-4206/ 

A Little Something About Me

Hi everyone my name is Kay. I'm a third year student at UVic working on a degree in Anthropology and English Literature. I'm very excited for this class (Archaeology of Death) and for the chance to expand my knowledge in this topic!