The research of archaeologist and scholar Heinrich Härke has highly influenced contemporary theories of mortuary archaeology and our interpretations of historical burial practices. This volume builds on his groundbreaking work on the relationship between the theory and practice of burial archaeology, exploring the role mortuary rituals played in the creation and expression of medieval social identities. Applying theoretical perspectives to case studies from a range of European finds'from Scandinavia to the British Isles, Southern France, and the Black Sea'the contributors engage with themes as diverse as migration, ethnicity, kinship, masculinity, and perceptions of landscape in this accessible contribution to the emerging field of death studies.