... archaeological enquiry, but also a recognition that even today, in our allegedly cynical and overly rational age, human nature persists in motivating the devout to adorn, decorate and publicly as well as privately venerate those figures held in high spiritual or material esteem. Should archaeologists employing the same techniques to ascertain devotional activity ever investigate the ruins of Graceland, it is quite possible that Elvis would be interpreted as a deity. This is a serious issue for the archaeology of religious activity. Archaeology is reliant upon both the notion and the physical signs of activity in order to retrieve data for analysis and explanation. Religion is, however, nebulous. It is a concept that leaves no remnant. Religious activity is only slightly less evasive as it may be obscured by being 'embedded within everyday functional activity'1. Neither should it be used as the default category assigned to every indicator of activity that ...

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