Transient relations: a comparative analysis of non-adult funerary treatment in Ireland and Wales, 1st to 9th centuries AD

This thesis examines the funerary treatment of non-adults in Ireland and Wales between the first and the ninth century AD. Archaeological, historical and toponymical (place name) evidence indicates that strong cultural connections between these two regions existed during this period. Despite this, previous research into contemporary burial practices has considered the evidence from each country in isolation. This is especially true for the early medieval period (5th to 10th centuries AD), during which, it was assumed, funerary practices had been standardized following the conversion to Christianity. Moreover, until relatively recently, the nature, and visibility of the funerary evidence from early medieval Wales largely prevented the development of social approaches to the funerary record, such as those exploring evidence for the life cycle and for gendered funerary treatment. This thesis therefore seeks to characterize, compare and contrast the funerary treatment of non-adults in Ireland and Wales; to trace the origin and development of early medieval non-adult burial rites; to identify attitudes to non-adults and non-adult death during the centuries before and after the conversion to Christianity in each country; and to identify the articulation of social concepts of non-adult identity and personhood within funerary contexts. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative research methods to the data. Despite occasional limitations due to sample size, variation in the application of funerary rites to non-adults within, and between each country is clearly evident.