Cemeteries as Archives : Gravestones as Documents

Introduction This thesis deals with the potential similarities between cemeteries and archives and the potential similarities between gravestones and documents. To give context, a background on the evolution of Swedish cemeteries is provided. The potential similarities are then explored from a practical and an operational perspective, respectively, based on, e.g., the historical development of archives as discussed in Terry Cook’s four paradigms. In addition, abstract and metaphorical perspectives are explored with respect to Michel Foucault’s and Jacques Derrida’s theories of the archive. Method The method consists of qualitative observations from selected cemeteries in Stockholm combined with image analyses of photographs of gravestones taken during the observations. The observations and image analyses are based on the search for possible denotations and connotations. The method section assumes a hermeneutic approach. Analysis Four observations made at Katarina kyrkogård, Maria Magdalena kyrkogård, Skogskyrkogården and Norra begravningsplatsen are presented. Fourteen image analyses of photographs of gravestones taken at these cemeteries are reported. Results The results show similarities between cemeteries and archives as well as similarities between gravestones and documents. Conclusion Several similarities can be established by applying different archive-theoretical perspectives to cemeteries and gravestones. On an operational plane, the evolution of cemeteries follows the historical development of archives in several aspects. Abstract and metaphorical similarities are presented, mainly from a power perspective. A discussion on how these similarities provide the possibility of using an archival approach, partly in future research and partly in the preserving work of cemeteries, gravestones and the ecclesiastical activities is provided. This is a two years master's thesis in Archival science.