Anna Jelicic
About me
I was born in 1982 in Osijek, Croatia. I completed a BA in Archaeology (Bachelor Programme in Ancient Languages and Cultures - 2015), and a MA in Archaeology (Master Programme in the Humanities with specialization in Archaeology - 2017), both at Uppsala University. After graduation I was accepted into a general archaeology PhD program at the Stockholm University, starting in January 2018.
Research
My research interests mainly focus on the different aspects of death related behavior exhibited by humans in the past. I began my research career investigating the archaeological eggshell finds from cremation graves in the Swedish province of Uppland as well as inhumation graves from the island of Gotland; all dated to the Viking Age. It is during this period that I developed a strong interest and clear direction for exploration of ”small”, “mundane” and often neglected archaeological remains found deliberately placed within the Viking Age graves: pebbles, avian eggshells, hazelnuts, wildflower remains, cultivated seeds etc. My current research with the working title ”A Recipe for a Healthy Afterlife: Re-evaluating (ritual based on) the natural ingredients found within the Viking Age burial contexts” addresses selective composition of burial urns, with particular focus on the addition of unburned elements of “natural” origin. By bringing case studies together from a range of locations in the Lake Mälaren area I seek to contribute much-needed primary data to the discussion on the interpretation of archaeological traces of cremation, to confront and explore the challenges of interpreting ´natural´ materials and to bring into sharp(er) relief their centrality in the cremation rituals.
Keywords: Viking Age, mortuary archaeology, social dimensions of death, cremation, natural products
Other interests: I also take interest in ethnology, agrarian history, museum studies, conservation and management of archaeological and ethnographic materials.
Supervisors:
Mats Burström, professor
Tel. 08-16 20 95
E-post: mats.burstrom@ark.su.se
Fredrik Fahlander, universitetslektor
Tel. 08-16 33 78
E-post: fredrik.fahlander@ark.su.se