INDEX

INTRODUCTION

METHODOLOGY

TAPHONOMY

• Vandalism
• Angle of Repose
• Natural Processes
• Flora and Fauna Damage
• Unintentional Damage

DISCUSSION

• Significance of Site
• The Burra Charter
• Virtual Reconstruction

DATA

CONCLUSION

HOME

Vandalism

Specific Vandalism of the Cemetery

SEE ALSO: OVERVIEW OF VANDALISM

Spatial Distribution of Vandalism.

The graph above shows a clear trend towards increased frequency of vandalism in the northeast quadrant of the cemetery. The most plausible explanation for this is that both the current and older main access points to the site are located within the boundaries of this quadrant.

Sectarian Vandalism?

Shortly after the opening of the Glebe Anglican cemetery, there was a period where people of the Roman Catholic faith were interned at the site. All of the Roman Catholic burials that could be identified are located in the northwest quadrant of the cemetery. Unfortunately small sample size, (3 identified graves with distinctly catholic iconography), has made any analysis of sectarian vandalism impossible.

Gender and Vandalism.

Overall there seems to be a trend towards more males being buried in the cemetery. Males represent 57% of known burials. Male interments also represent about 60% of those vandalised. Given the small differences expressed between the figures, it seems somewhat unlikely that there was preference on the part of vandals towards damaging the graves of men.

Removal of Headstone Elements

The design of certain grave elements tend to lend themselves to increased rates of vandalism. Vandals can easily remove architectural elements such as urns, angels, and crucifixes. This seems to be a very dominant trend in the Glebe site.

Vandalism of the Crypts.

As previously noted it is possible to absolutely date the vandalism of crypts at Glebe Cemetery. "Thieves have torn the coffins open to steal the valuable lead linings, and vandals have wrecked unprecedented desecration to the remains dragged ruthlessly from the coffins" -Maitland Mercury, 31/7/1958.We have no reason to dispute the assertion of the article, that theft was the motive for vandalism of the crypts.One crypt shows clear evidence for picking through the sandstone walls, which are approximately 25 centimeters thick. This conclusion is further supported by the fact that all the crypts of St. Peter's burial ground have been vandalised.

Handedness.

It seems reasonable to suspect that, given the general trend in the population towards right-handedness, a pattern of right handedness may be able to be demonstrated in vandalism. As can be seen from the graph, there does appear to be a slight preference for right-handedness over left, but this is overshadowed by examples that show damage to both sides. Thus, handedness is not readily identified on the site.