Step 5: Burial

Dublin Core

Title

Step 5: Burial

Description

In colonial times, other civilizations, like the Spanish, would bury their dead relatively soon after death because an idea of supposed 'impurity' of the dead. The Spanish beliefs surrounding death were highly linked to the notions of resurrection and eternal life, promised by Jesus Christ, the son of God. After he was born a human on Earth, he gave his life so that Christians may live eternally in Heaven. Burials were most often close to churches within consecrated grounds so that they would be protected from evil and closer to God, rather than in or near the house in which they lived.

Collection Items

Preparing a Corpse for Burial
Higher status members of the Aztec society were wrapped, clothed, and cremated. Their ashes were placed in urns, most often depicting one of the many gods. These urns would hold the jade ‘heart’ and would often be buried in or around their home. Much…

Aztec Remains
Those who were not cremated, were wrapped and buried in the fetal position to mirror the position of birth and symbolize the return to nature. They were buried within the Earth around temples or houses to feed the goddess of the Earth, Coatlicue. The…

Aztec Death Bundle
When they were buried, the family members put their personal belongings and maybe even a lock of hair with them, so that the soul would know where to return. Hair was said to be considered to be representative of one's spirit, and it was sacred in…
View all 3 items