Authors: Sylvia E. Thornbush, Mary J. Thornbush

Changing Landscapes in Urban British Churchyards

eBook: US $29 Special Offer (PDF + Printed Copy): US $79
Printed Copy: US $64
Library License: US $116
ISBN: 978-981-14-4124-0 (Print)
ISBN: 978-981-14-4126-4 (Online)
Year of Publication: 2020
DOI: 10.2174/97898114412641200101

Introduction

This interdisciplinary reference work presents a linked consideration, to the reader, of physical-cultural (physicocultural) representations of headstones located in urban churchyards in England and Scotland. The geomorphology of landscapes relevant to these locations is explained with the help of detailed case studies from Oxford and Edinburgh. The integrated physicocultural approach addresses the conservation of the archaeological record and presents a cross-temporal perspective of landscape change – of the headstones as landforms in their landscape (as part of deathscapes). The physical record (of headstones) is examined in the context of both cultural representation and change. In this way, an integrated approach is employed that connects the physical (natural) and cultural (social) records kept by historians and archeologists over the years.

Changing Landscapes in Urban British Churchyards is of interest to geomorphologists, historians and scholars interested in understanding landscaping studies and cultural nuance of specific historical urban sites in England and Scotland.

Preface

The proposed book is a collaborative work between an archaeologist with research expertise in historical archaeology and a geomorphologist with research interests in applied (environmental) geomorphology and landscape change. As an interdisciplinary work, the book provides a linked consideration of physical-cultural (physicocultural) representations of headstones located in urban churchyards in England and Scotland, with detailed case studies from 13 urban churchyards located in six urban centres, including two coastal sites. The integrated physicocultural approach that becomes apparent by the end of the book addresses the conservation of the archaeological record and presents a cross-temporal perspective of headstones as part of deathscapes. The physical record (of headstones) is examined in the context of cultural representation and change. In this way, an integrated approach is employed that connects physical and cultural aspects of the material culture.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors confirm that the content of this book has no conflict of interest.

S. E. Thornbush

School of History, Classics and Archaeology
University of Edinburgh
Scotland
UK

&


Mary J. Thornbush

Oriel College
University of Oxford
England
UK