View article

Artefact or object biography is an approach to material culture that highlights the shifting roles and meanings of an artefact over time and context. This paper explores this concept through Irish gravestones. From the early 18th century family plots and individual interments were identified by stone markers in some parts of Ireland, and these became widespread by the 19th century. Some memorials remain in continuous use but others were inscribed only once. The term 'generalised significance' has been introduced to describe the state of artefacts that are visible and part of the social landscape, but carry little specific meaning at that time. Many memorials were used intermittently over long periods, a more common occurrence in Ireland than in many other countries, and renewal of memorials is also more frequent. Another feature is the integration of old monuments within refurbished grave plots, a behaviour noted in …