Grave Orientation

Datos Bibliográficos

ID11614100
AutoresPhilip Rahtz (autor de correspondencia)
Año1978
Volumen135
Número1
Páginas1-14
Fecha de publicación1978-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaArchaeological Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0066-5983 • E-ISSN: 2373-2288
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00665983.1978.11077641
OpenAlexW4210738391
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas13
Referencias citadas7

The orientation of graves is the result of many factors, and explanations for this custom are diverse. West—east orientation is frequent, and is explained by astronomical or theological considerations, which are difficult to separate in practice; the adoption of this custom by the Christian Church reflects earlier practice, rather than a new dogma. Some post-Roman cemeteries seem to be orientated by reference to the position of sunrise. This allows possibilities of determining season of burial, and even perhaps the incidence of plague. More scientific observation and analysis are needed to resolve these problems, as well as the use of well-dated evidence from modern graveyards

Ancient history · Orientation (vector space · Plague (disease · Ancient Egypt and Archaeology · Historical and Architectural Studies · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History · Mathematics