A 'GOOD DEATH': The life and times of an experimental neolithic house and its reception in Nebelivka

Abstract

Most archaeological fieldwork projects have stories about the interactions between their host village and the project, although such accounts rarely make it to publication. The Anglo-Ukrainian Trypillia Megasites Project differs in that we developed a closer than usual relationship with the residents of Nebelivka, largely because of an experimental house-building and-burning operation that involved a number of villagers-from young reed and hazel withy collectors to the mayor. In this article, we weave together different threads of actions, decisions, agendas and attitudes of different stakeholders (team, villagers, politicians, journalists, conference delegates, etc.) with respect to the project's experimental programme, focusing on the day of the house-burning and its spectacular multi-sensory results. In conclusion, we reflect upon the application of the question 'what is a good death' to a prehistoric house, taking into consideration the varied views of the participants.