About
Welcome to Where the Dead Lie! My name is Alyssa, and I'm passionate about the documentation and preservation of historic cemeteries. Anyone who likes to walk through old burial grounds may agree that there's something about cemeteries that seems very permanent. With names and dates written in stone, one may get the idea that those monuments will stand forever. Unfortunately, this is far from reality. Spend enough time in historical burying grounds, and it will soon become clear that the stones are crumbling. Words carved into marble and sandstone are literally fading away. Without protection and preservation efforts, cemeteries regularly deteriorate into obscurity.
My goal in starting this project is twofold. First, I aim to create a digital collection of colonial and historic cemeteries, beginning on Long Island, with the hopes of expanding outward. The second goal is to explore all aspects of interest in the area of historical cemeteries, addressing the question I get so often: "Why does this matter?"
I would like to document these cemeteries in as many ways as I can, using mapping techniques, photography, and photogrammetry. I hope that you'll stick around for the ride.
About me:
I am an archaeologist by education and training. I hold a bachelor's degree in anthropology, with a focus in archaeology. I also hold a bachelor's degree in history, and I have worked on various archaeological projects. In the United States, my archaeological work has taken place primarily on paleoindian sites, rather than historical or colonial excavations. Abroad, I worked on an archaeological site in Tuscany for several field seasons. Eventually, I switched fields in order to work in editorial as a copy editor, but my passion for history and archaeological work never faded. I have always found interest in the historical burial grounds of Long Island, and I look forward to seeing what this project will uncover.
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