medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
I've read this same information. I know I've had medical professionals repeat it, however I've never taken any actual measurements.
There are accounts from Inquisitional records during the 14th Century struggle with Albigensianism that refer to the clipping of nails and hair of the newly
deceased although I don't recall the exact reason (mementos, I believe, kind of like keeping locks from baby's first haircut). The book "Montaillou" refers to
these records I seem to recall. . . no doubt the more erudite members of the list can enlighten us on the matter.
Pax
George
On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:15:22 -0500, Cormack, Margaret Jean wrote:
>medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
> This brings up another topic. I had always been given to understand
>that hair and nails
> continued to grow on a corpse for some time after death, giving rise to
>useful relics if the
>body was disinterred.
> However, I was recently told that this is a myth, the flesh (of a
>presumably well-preserved
> body; the one I have in mind buried in salty and damp soil) recedes, so
>hair and nails only
> APPEAR longer. Can anyone elucidate?
> Meg
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