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Do all dogs go to heaven? Tracking human-animal relationships through the archaeological survey of pet cemeteries

2020; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 94; Issue: 378 Linguagem: Inglês

10.15184/aqy.2020.191

1745-1744

Eric Tourigny,

Historical and Cultural Archaeology Studies

Pet cemeteries provide a unique opportunity to investigate the development of human-animal relationships, yet few archaeological studies of these cemeteries have been undertaken. This article presents an archaeological survey of gravestones at British pet cemeteries from the Victorian period to the present. These memorials provide evidence for the perceived roles of animals, suggesting the development of an often conflicted relationship between humans and companion animals in British society—from beloved pets to valued family members—and the increasing belief in animal afterlives. The results are discussed in the context of society's current attitude towards animals and the struggle to define our relationships with pets through the mourning of their loss.