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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Red ochre is found in neolithic burials across Europe & the ME. While a reddish color may have a symbolic meaning, the substance also helps to reduce the smells of decomposition. DW V. Kerry Inman wrote: >medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture > >Apparently black arm bands were worn in antiquity--Egypt and Rome. In some very >ancient cultures--Australian Aborigines for example--ashes are rubbed on the >body as a sign of mourning. I believe that black as a symbol of mourning is >ancient. I would have answered earlier, but I was looking for good references, >and guess what! I couldn't come up with anything but a few lame ones. > >Interestingly in pre-Columbian Maine (the American one), red-ochre was placed >over the body in the grave. One of my childhood friend's house was located on >an ancient burial site. We totally destroyed it looking for arrow heads before >we were old enough to realize what we were doing. It had been partially >excavated earlier. Was red the color of mourning then? I don't know. > >V. Kerry Inman > > ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html