Uncanny Archaeologies

Bringing together critical reflections on uncanny archaeologies as they are represented in films, media, literature and culture, this collection develops theoretical and conceptual frameworks for approaching this emerging focus within horror studies.

An exploration of works that sit at the nexus of archaeology and horror, this collection brings together critical reflections on these ‘uncanny archaeologies’ as they appear across film, media, literature and ‘real’ spooky archaeology. With a global selection of authors drawing upon a wide variety of analytical concepts from posthumanism and ‘weirding’ to elements of mad studies, and the notion of ‘archaeophobia’, the collection promotes novel theoretical and conceptual frameworks for studying the works explored.

A treasure trove of themes from across archaeological horror, the essays in this volume include mainstays of the genre such as ancient curses, empty tombs, and ambulant mummies, as well as broader themes such as the underground, deep time, folk horror, time-slips, and the return of the dead. Interdisciplinary and multi modal, the essays cover a huge range of works: fiction by M.R. James, Algernon Blackwood and Arthur Conan Doyle; films and franchises including Tomb Raider and the Blair Witch Project; cultural phenomena such as Weird Tales, black metal, and Victorian occult sex magic; and ‘real life’ archaeological horrors from cursed objects to uncanny bodies, and magical treasure hunting. Lifting the lid on a popular new horror sub-genre, Uncanny Archaeology uncovers a field that is open, inclusive, and playful.