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Do all dogs go to heaven? Tracking human-animal relationships through the archaeological survey of pet cemeteries

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Eric TourignyORCiD

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This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by Cambridge University Press, 2020.

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Abstract

An archaeological survey of pet cemeteries demonstrates the importance of non-human cemeteries in the investigation of changing human-animal relationships. Gravestone designs and inscriptions provide evidence for the perceived role of animals in people’s lives and afterlives. Results suggest the slow development of an often-conflicted relationship inBritish society, from treasured pets to valued family members, and the increased belief of an animal afterlife. The discussion contextualises society’s current attitude towards animals, identifying a continued struggle for humans to define relationships with pets when mourning their loss. The paper highlights the variety of research questionsaddressable with pet cemetery data.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Tourigny E

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Antiquity

Year: 2020

Volume: 94

Issue: 378

Pages: 1614-1629

Print publication date: 01/12/2020

Online publication date: 27/10/2020

Acceptance date: 27/02/2020

Date deposited: 27/02/2020

ISSN (print): 0003-598X

ISSN (electronic): 1745-1744

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

URL: https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2020.191

DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2020.191

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