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Dear all, please circulate to anyone you think may be interested - apologies for the short notice, the closing date is Weds 10th July. Identity, Place and Society in Early Medieval Norfolk TWO AHRC funded Collaborative Doctoral Awards University of Bradford and Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery Starting October 2013 Many studies have now been undertaken examining Anglo-Saxon burial and identity, but most have focussed on a particular period of burial, and are often related to specific types of cemetery (e.g. Buckberry 2004; Cherryson 2005; Geake 1997; Stoodley 1999; Lucy 1998; Reynolds 2009). Our proposed research project will instead span the entirety of the Anglo-Saxon period, directly comparing the people buried in early ‘pagan’, middle ‘conversion’ and later ‘Christian’ cemeteries. It will weave together data from the burial context – cemetery type, grave type and grave inclusions, including the remains of animals which may have been placed as food, companions or to convey shamanistic roles (Bond 1996) – with the biological identity, ascertained via osteological analysis, of the individuals. This will be achieved through two linked doctoral research projects: 1) Burial and identity in early medieval Norfolk This research will encompass a detailed analysis of the types of cemetery and the differing forms of burial within these cemeteries throughout the early medieval period. Through the comparison of biological identity (age, sex) and mode of burial, this research will reveal important patterns in the way identity was expressed through burial rites throughout the Anglo-Saxon period. Importantly it will assess the changes observed in burial form around the time of the Conversion and associated with the two diasporas - to what extent did these important events alter burial provision, or were they merely historically noted pin points within a longer period of gradual change? To what extent were social aspects of identity such as age, sex and status reflected in burial rites, and did this vary throughout the period? Supervised by: Dr Jo Buckberry (UoB), Dr Julie Bond (UoB) and Dr Tim Pestell (NCMAG) 2) People and animals in early medieval cemeteries Work by Bond and others has demonstrated that the Anglo-Saxons of eastern England routinely included animal offerings in cremations and less often in inhumations. In the past these bones have been regarded as simple food offerings but research suggests that animals played many different roles, perhaps as food, status, transport, companions, or to convey shamanistic beliefs. This project will reassess the evidence for animal offerings (whole animals, body parts, amulets and other artefacts made from animals) in inhumations and cremations from Norfolk. The research will consider the range, age and completeness of animals, patterns of burial, taphonomy and treatment of the animals and possible animal symbolism in order to understand the roles that they may have played in the burial ritual. This project will also investigate grave goods in later burials which may show continuity of earlier beliefs and new ideas from Scandinavian culture. Supervised by: Dr Julie Bond (UoB), Dr Jo Buckberry (UoB) and Dr Tim Pestell (NCMAG) Funding and working arrangements: Both students will be registered full time at the University of Bradford. They are expected to be based in Bradford for the first and third years of study, and in Norwich for the second year of study. While in Bradford, the students will be offered the opportunity to gain teaching experience. While in Norwich, the students will gain experience of working in a museum environment, to include public outreach activities. Both studentships are fully funded (fees + maintenance). Each student will receive a maintenance grant of £13,726 per annum plus an additional £550 per annum towards any additional expenses incurred while working at the partner institution (NCMAG) http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Postgraduate-funding/Documents/Maintenance%20and%20fee%20rates%20for%202013-14.pdf How to Apply: Please apply via our online application form: https://evision.brad.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=WEBAPP&code2=0004 In your personal statement, please identify the doctoral project(s) you wish to apply for and pay particular attention to how your skills and experience will enable you to succeed. We are happy to receive applications for both studentships, but please indicate which one would be your first choice. Along with an application form the following supporting documents are normally required: • Degree certificates/transcripts • Contact details for two referees • Evidence of English language (if required) • A copy of your passport There is a facility to upload these documents at the end of the process. We prefer you to submit your application form and supporting materials electronically. This will help us to process your application more rapidly. You must satisfy the eligibility criteria, both academic and residential, which are set by the AHRC for all of its postgraduate funding schemes. For information on these criteria, and on the nature and purposes of the studentships provided by the AHRC, please consult section 7 of the AHRC Student Funding Guide (http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Student-Funding-Guide.pdf) Closing date: Wednesday 10th July at 5pm. Interviews will be held on 23rd, 24th or 25th July. The successful candidate will start September/October 2013. Regards, Julie ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.