An archaeology of dementia

Finlay, N. (2022) An archaeology of dementia. Antiquity, 96(386), pp. 422-435. (doi: 10.15184/aqy.2021.186)

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Publisher's URL: https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2021.186

Abstract

Around the world, millions of people live with dementia. Archaeologists have advanced heritage engagement as a form of therapy, for example, through museum object handling. Here, the author proposes an alternative focus, arguing that archaeology can contribute to research on the materialities of care. Through a case study of a ‘dementia assemblage’ curated by an avocational archaeologist, the author documents the embodied and material traces of the collector's earlier archaeological practices, their increasing comfort in handling stone as dementia progressed and their sustained interest in the pareidolic properties of things. The results contribute to a wider understanding of the important role of materiality for those living with dementia.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Finlay, Dr Nyree
Authors: Finlay, N.
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Archaeology
Journal Name:Antiquity
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:0003-598X
ISSN (Online):1745-1744
Published Online:20 January 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in Antiquity 96(386): 422-435
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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