In 19 th and 20 th centuries, economic and social factors had significance influence on the way graves were marked. However, since Victorian times, gradual changes were experienced in issues to do with death, with shifts being witnessed in practices of commemoration, funerary materials, and mortuary attitudes following extreme duress socially and economically (Mallios & Caterino, 2011) . Notably, the huge gravestones were being replaced with lean markers towards the beginning of 1900s. Another shift was yet witnessed in the 1920s, portraying the sad responses towards massive loss of lives in the World War 1. Hard economic times during the mentioned period also determined the materials for use in marking the deceases (Mallios & Caterino, 2011) . Initially, marble was replaced by granite gravestones, but as the Great Depression continued to bite, inexpensive metal and marble grave markers were re-introduced. In essence, cemetery layouts and grave markers within cemeteries can be used to manipulate, reflect, and challenge the social order.
In most cemeteries and burying grounds, and with the introduction of enlightenment, people were willing to demonstrate love towards nature, free expression of sentiment and extravagance. The trend that began in the 19 th century was bound to change. The 20 th century was characterized by two world wars and depression set in. Even so, death began getting distant ( Death, Hierarchy, and the Social Order, 2015) . Scientists discovered advanced medicine that guaranteed long lives, and death was increasingly moving out of sight. Eventually, art was evident in grave markers, and simplicity was evident in cemeteries. Contemporary cemeteries have embraced durable and sensible monuments made of polished granite. Even notably, sections of modern cemeteries only allow lawn-level bronze markers ( Death, Hierarchy, and the Social Order, 2015) . In the same breath, people have developed a sense of recognizing distinctiveness and individuality, which has since been reflected in cemeteries through art ( Death, Hierarchy, and the Social Order, 2015) .
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In the olden days, people rarely used grave markers as they would bury their loved ones in rural gardens without any marker. Most burial grounds were overcrowded, old and one could hardly identify a grave of their loved ones ( Death, Hierarchy, and the Social Order, 2015) . Improved cemetery layouts complete with grave markers were embraced when people changed their attitude towards the dead, and resolved to start giving them a decent send off in handsomely arranged family plots. The new markers added the aesthetic element, and the idea of abandoning cemeteries to be overtaken by nature was shunned ( Veit, 2009) . The cemetery layouts and grave markers depicted creativity, they looked neater, and maintenance configuration was evident. The displayed ceramic photos of the interred were a clear indication of the respect and love towards them ( Death, Hierarchy, and the Social Order, 2015) . In the same vein, grave markers were assigned to the grave of the loved one, based on their attributes while they were alive. In most cases, the used was made from a long-lasting material, as opposed to use of organic materials such as wood, which would eventually decompose ( Death, Hierarchy, and the Social Order, 2015) .
In overall, cemetery layouts and grave markers within cemeteries can be employed to manipulate, reflect, and challenge the social order. In the olden days, grave markers were made with less valuable materials, and some graves were simply left without one. Over time, people began to embrace the new way of ensuring grave markers were neat, durable, and one that depicted creativity.
References
Death, Hierarchy, and the Social Order. (2015). In C. Renfrew, M. Boyd, & I. Morley (Eds.), Death Rituals, Social Order and the Archaeology of Immortality in the Ancient World: 'Death Shall Have No Dominion' (pp. 221-300). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Mallios, S., & Caterino, D. (2011). Mortality, Money, and Commemoration: Social and Economic Factors in Southern California Grave-Marker Change During the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. International Journal of Historical Archaeology , 15(3), 429-460.
Veit, R. (2009). "Resolved to Strike out a New Path": Consumerism and Iconographic Change in New Jersey Gravestones, 1680-1820. Historical Archaeology , 43(1), 115- 141.
