Danse Macabre

"A Greek funeral inscription of Aix-les-Bains reads: "Among the dead there are two crowds: while the one errs about restlessly on earth, the other dances around with the constellations of the radiant stars. I am among the latter host, a god I found as a leader". The god to whom this initiate refers is Dionysos, known to Sophokles as "the dance-leader of the fire-breathing stars", the Syrian Ba'al marqod or "Lord of the dancing ground", the god Shiva as atar aja or "Lord of the cosmic dance" of the Hindoos. The idea of a dance of the souls of the departed has been borrowed by Jews and Christians. "In the world to come God as the dance-leader will conduct a dance for the righteous". In the Marcionite apocryphal Acts of John Jesus leads a mystical dance of his disciples. According to St. Augustine this dance was known and practised by the Priscillianists of Spain and other heretics. It may be derived from the dances practised by the Jewish mystics described in Philo 's De vita contemplativa. St. John Chrysostom who condemned secular dancing, declaring that "where there is dancing there is the devil", says that Christians have got their feet not for this indecent exercise but "so that we can dance with the choirs of the angels"."

The above excerpt in full can be found at: http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/27830174?uid=3739400&uid=2&uid=3737720&uid=4&sid=21101721822517 (log in required)

I have always found the idea of the danse macabre interesting. Perhaps it is because of the dancing skeletons or the idea that death unites us all. Men and women are all equal in the end and our earthly possessions become worthless. Many cultures to do not share in this perspective which seems to be evident in a sense with grave goods and lavish ritual burials. Often these grave goods denote status and were meant to be used by the individual somehow in the after life. Does the fact that some individuals belonging's reflect the status they possessed in life mean that they are still holders of a superior status in death? We will never truly know but it would be interesting to do more research into this idea:)


-Maia B

I've Got the Ergot Rot pt.2

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldw6amHxEW1qz6ivco1_r2_500.jpg

**update of previous entry

So... I found two scholarly sources concerning bog bodies and ergotism. One article provides evidence of ergot being found in the preserved stomach contents (amongst rye) of the Grauballe Man, a 2400 year old Iron Age body found in a Denmark bog(1952). The second source is actually a book containing portions linking ergotism to the tentative ritual killing of people prior to submerging them in bogs. The book also mentions Funeral of a Rus which I thought was quite interesting. It brings up the topic of "multiple deaths" and confusing the spirt/soul so that it stays within the body and does not leave at the time of death. The book also further sheds light upon the type of bodies typically found in bogs. Poisons and hallucinogens may have played a vital role in these deaths. "The transgressor, symbolically outcast from human society and made liminal, was taken to a liminal place, vexed beyond belief, and then thrust, body and soul at once, through into another world"(Taylor, 2002, p.167). I hope to write more about the idea of multiple death in a future entry:) I have also acquired a new love for bog bodies!

**might need to access UVIC library for the article, not the book

• http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=mlJpA7dzpRUC&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&ots=oIbr_87lUF&sig=ricjCCA43aMg2Bclx9jkfUIb0MQ#v=onepage&q=ergot&f=false

• http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/science/article/pii/S0305440307000957

–Maia B

I've Got the Ergot Rot

http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/photos/barley_ergot.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Barger.TIF/lossy-page1-702px-Barger.TIF.jpg

So.... I just found out that people used to die from something called bread poisoning aka ergotism aka Saint Anthony's Fire. Of course I had to check out Wikipedia. This little protruding fungus, Claviceps purpurea, loves grasses and especially rye where it is less visible. It is linked to the Salem Witch Trials and one of the many conditions that used to fall under the diagnoses of Saint Anthony's Fire. Symptoms are convulsive, gangrenous, or both. Ergotism can be passed through lactation to babies. Wiki also claims that "there is evidence of ergot poising serving a ritual purpose in the ritual killing of certain bog bodies".... that sentence seems a bit off... maybe the poster will come add to it one day. The last sever outbreak of bread poisoning occurred in Ethiopia, 2001, due to some contaminated barley. This little ailment crosses the species barrier into mammals(that I know of), in particular ones with hooves. Medical companies also use this little fungus to make drugs... that I did not read about. Sorry for the graphic image.

–Maia B

My Dear Dead Relative

http://www.lionessantiques.com/images/hairlocket.JPG

Not only did the Victorians think it was fashionable to drink milk.... They also thought it was a wonderful idea to make pretty jewelry out of past loved ones hair. Yes please! I would like one.

–Maia B

When In Prison... Do As the Prisoners Do

http://oddstuffmagazine.com/tattoos-were-taken-from-prisoners-body-after-they-died-in-20th-century.html

So..... if you read the above post.... the English is nonsensical but the skin collection is indeed real.

The collection is housed at the Department of Forensic Medicine at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland.
These tattoos are quite beautiful and stylized in accordance with the time period. A nice example of well preserved skin.

I am currently doing a psychology and anthropology double major. The more biology based social science courses really seem to "be my bag". Biopsych is wonderful.... I don't care what anyone thinks.... Mathematics is my downfall and I am terrible at it. Two courses I have LOVED during my post secondary experience are forensic anthropology and philosophy of sex and love, both at Camosun. I like brains and bones. My UVIC experience is not yet long enough to be picking and choosing favourites. Cognitive Psychology was quite enjoyable last semester. After my BA I would like to do a masters in either neuro psych, counselling, or occupational therapy. Writing an LSAT just "for fun" might also be in my future.

Upon graduating high school, I did a number of things. These things included working retail/customer service at many different types of places, cooking, learning to tattoo through an apprenticeship, and completing a certificate in graphic design. Food and body modification are still some of my favourite things/topics. I have collected some interesting modifications and perspectives on eating along the way. Not your typical vegan by any means.

I really hope to cover human and animal burials. Not only humans with animals but animals on their own. It interests me to think about the different values held by societies concerning specific animals. Archaeology of death for the oddities lover in me. The dead are fascinating. So many different perspective concerning death and dying exist that have changed through years of practice... how can someone not want to know this stuff? Its that child–like "ohhhh-ahhhhh" factor.

–Maia B