Gravestones and Monuments in the Maritime Cultural Landscape: Research Potential and Preliminary Interpretations

Abstract

Thousands of memorials around the world commemorate maritime disasters and death. In addition to commemoration, memorials provide insight into the conceptual landscape of maritime peoples. Types of maritime memorials, locations where they can be found, and the limitations of memorials as archaeological artefacts are discussed. Data from 18th-and 19th-century English and American maritime memorials are used to make preliminary interpretations regarding Anglo-American maritime beliefs. Based on this I argue that memorials are a valuable source of data for maritime cultural landscape studies, particularly for what they reveal about maritime belief systems.

Medieval Carved Ship Images Found in Nordic Churches: the poor man's votive ships?

“…In early historical times the mortality rate (and accordingly the dangers) of maritime people were the highest of all professional groups (for example as recorded on memorials and generally Stewart, , ). If only a small amount of empathy is applied, it appears likely that remains of their culture may indicate a tendency to try to avert dangers at sea by magic or ‘votive’ means.…”

The Specialized Religions of Ancient Mediterranean Seafarers

“…Maritime sacral beliefs and practices protected sailors during their lifetime at sea, and are also reflected in the interment of their dead (for historical archaeological evidence, see Stewart 2007). Our main evidence for mourning rites performed by seafarers is found in the Hebrew Bible, in Ezekiel 27:27–31.…”

Ships on Gravestones

“…In his interesting paper about gravestones Stewart (2007: 123) raised the question as to whether this custom existed in other places as well. This is certainly true for a couple of German islands in the North Sea.…”