NEW DEATH BC PROJECT LOOKS AT MODERN PREHISTORIC BURIAL TREND
Academics at the University of Glasgow are to look at the modern-day phenomenon of why people wish to be buried like their prehistoric ancestors
Archaeologist Dr Kenny Brophy and researcher Andrew Watson have received a British Academy Leverhulme small grant to undertake research into the new trend, which has seen modern versions of prehistoric burial mounds called barrows being built to contain the cremation ashes of the deceased. There are now more than ten of these buildings in operation or in the planning process across the UK, each with design elements taken from megalithic burial mounds from the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods.
The project, Death BC, is the first in-depth archaeological evaluation of this phenomenon. Through research, fieldwork and interviews, the research team will explore to what extent prehistory has influenced these barrow columbaria, and why people choose to store their own or family member's remains within them.
Watch this space for an in-depth project report in a future issue of History Scotland.