Childrens' Graves in Ross Bay Cemetary, Victoria, B.C.

The data set recorded includes 12 grave markers from Ross Bay Cemetary in Victoria, B.C.  The grave markers belong to children under the age of 10 and are scattered throughout the cemetary.  The graves also appear to belong to caucasian and Japanese individuals.

We were interested in looking at the way in which the memories of these children are memorialized and represented through the use of grave markers.  We were also curious to see how many childrens' grave markers are present at Ross Bay Cemetary.

It was found that most of the grave markers visually represent the memories of the children with similar symbols, such as lamb, angel, and baby motifs.  It is common today for these symbols to signify the innocence and fragility of children.  Since little work has been done on the grave markers of children, it is difficult to see if this is a widespread, cross-cultural practice.

In the Barony of Dunmore in Ireland, many childrens' burial grounds are not even marked (Crombie 1987-88).  Those that are marked often contain stone grave markers, although the use of inscriptions on the grave markers is rare (Crombie 1987-88).  Only three sites exhibit inscribed grave stones in the barony: Addergoole More has three cross inscribed stones, Kinnakinelly has one inscribed stone, and Ballymoat contains one inscription referring to a child (Crombie 1987-88).

In New Mexico, grave markers are used in elaborate fashions to represent the deceased.  For example, a children's grave was marked with "pink and green patio blocks [in the form of] a giant Easter basket, complete with coloured concrete eggs" (Sanborn 1990: 3).  The Paschal Lamb was also noted as a common symbol used on children's grave markers (Sanborn 1990).

With most archaeological work on chidrens' graves focusing on the interred remains and grave goods, more research needs to encompass the distribution of childrens' grave markers and their visual representations, including symbols and inscriptions.


View Children's Graves Ross Bay Cemetary in a larger map

Crombie, Deirdre. 1987-1988. Children's Burial Grounds in the Barony of Dunmore: A Preliminary Note. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, 41, pp. 149-151.

Sanborn, Laura S. 1990. Sacred Places of the Southwest. Places, 7(1), pp. 1-8.

Clearly, it's best to be buried in a pineapple...

In Ghana, the Ga tribe have put a spin on traditional inhumation.  They love to celebrate their dead by burying them in custom-designed coffins specifically representing an aspect of that individual's life.  Coffins are diverse and colourful and can be "a car if they were a driver, a fish if their livelihood was the sea -- or a sewing machine for a seamstress. They might also symbolize a vice -- such as a bottle of beer or a cigarette" (http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/photo.day.php?ID=52081).

The Ga believe that the dead go into an afterlife and the coffin acts as a sort of house so they must be living in style!

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/photo.day.php?ID=52081&VOLGNR=5

Above is a pineapple coffin!  Winners of coffin design competitions can earn between 5 and 6 million Cedis (or 500-600 US dollars).

It appears that these coffins are made out of wood, so the coffins unfortunately would not preserve in the archaeological record.  If the Ga could find a bog to throw the coffin into then it could preserve but I'm not sure if coastal Ghana has that kind of climate!

Grave Goods

My love of horses was the first thing that came to my mind when I started thinking of goods I would like to have placed in my grave.  All of my tack that I've purchased over time and consider to be very valuable would have to go into my grave! 

This includes my saddle, bridles and various other pieces of riding tack.  Unfortunately, with it being leather, the only parts that would preserve would be the stirrup irons on the saddle, the bits on the bridles, and all the buckles. 

Those that know me understand the importance of horses and riding in my life and having related items as grave goods would definitely give an impression of my connection to horses. Since the time when horses first came to be ridden in saddles and bridles, the basic idea of the saddle and bridle with the metal stirrup irons and metal bit has not changed.  If archaeologists found my grave in the future they would probably know what the stirrup irons, bits and buckles were all about and say "Ha!  This is a horse person!"

Introduction

My name is Krysti and I am in my final semester at UVic.  I am an Anthropology major and am taking this course primarily for interest.  I find archaeology fascinating, especially in relation to burials and funerary practices.

Outside of school, I work part-time at the Victoria Airport and train and compete in equestrian sport.  I also became engaged over the holidays, so I will be busy planning a wedding and looking for a house to buy.  Along with that and school, I am currently an applicant to the RCMP and hope to get hired sometime next year!