Memorial Monument Analysis Post

1.  The data set used was children graves within Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, BC, Canada, with child being classified as an individual from age 0-10 years.  Out of 21 graves that were photographed, 12 were chosen that met our requirements and presented interesting imagery.  

2.  We were trying to find out the material memory and imagery that is left on the graves of children who have been buried in Ross Bay Cemetery.  Another part of the question was also how many, in which area, and what time period did most of the childrens' graves fall. 

3.  Too the first question, what was the material memory and imagery that is left on the grave of children who are buried in Ross Bay Cemetery?  there were a variety of answers.  Of the imagery that we viewed there was a childs' chair and shoes, sleeping baby, angels, lambs, plants and flowers, and some graves without imagery.  When looking at these pieces I could not help but notice that much of the imagery focuses on the symbols of religious importance, innocence, and purity.  As Pearson points out these different aspects of the grave are very much created in the mindset and understanding of adults rather then children (Pearson, 2008, pg. 103). I would infer that, that is why there is far more adult understanding and association with symbols of religion and innocence, then say toys or other artifacts that a child may have held more dear.

To the second question, how many, in area and what time period did most of the childrens' graves fall?  We discovered some  interesting results.  We found 21 graves, however 12 fit the profile for which we were searching for.  These 12 graves ranged from the 1800s and 1900s, these graves were mostly located in the area of the cemetery that was in the older area.  This could be according to the history and heritage records of Victoria, BC, Canada, diseases and epidemics were prevalent during that point in time, many of which effected both the children and the elderly a great deal, especially the small pox in 1882 (Canadian encyclopedia).  Childrens' life expectancy was also very short at that point in time, due to the rougher living of people in Victoria. 

Bibliography

Canadian Encyclopedia, 2011, http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0005203, History of Medicine.

Pearson, Parker, Mike.  The Archaeology of death and burial.  2008, Texas A&M University Press; USA.



Map of the Monument analysis of Child Graves in Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, BC, Canada:


View Children's Graves Ross Bay Cemetary in a larger map