Changing Mortuary Practices in the Southwestern United States and Northern Sonora

Abstract

Excavations within three historic period cemeteries in Tucson, Arizona have revealed changing attitudes toward treatment of the dead during the time span between 1775 and 1909. The ways people buried their family members and friends reflect evolving religious beliefs and the elaboration of mourning rituals. These trends occurred throughout the greater Southwest.

Las excavaciones en los cementerios durante tres períodos históricos en Tucson, Arizona, han revelado actitudes cambiantes hacia el tratamiento de los muertos durante el período comprendido entre 1775 y 1909. Las formas en que las personas enterraron a sus familiares y amigos reflejan la evolución de las creencias religiosas y la elaboración de rituales de duelo. Estas tendencias ocurrieron en todo el gran suroeste.

KEYWORDS:

• Historical archaeology
• mortuary behavior
• Tucson

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).