medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Larsen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: [M-R] Jesus Era Shroud Found in Judea
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> I was troubled by all of these points as well, especially the assumption
> that all shrouds were woven the same way. That _is_ the argument here,
> isn't it?
>
> Andrew E. Larsen
I would have thought that the quality of the cloth used for a shroud would
depend to a very large extent on the economic status of (the family of) the
deceased. In this case, the deceased is claimed to be a high-ranking man but
perhaps his diseased condition may have influenced what type of cloth was
used - perhaps lower class persons were employed to lay him out.
There are too many variables and unknown cultural habits for any firm
conclusions, I would have said.
NONE THE LESS this is VERY exciting and valuable archaeologically speaking!!
As for one disease "driving out" another, was it not known since ancient
times that if an infected open wound discharged "white pus" (the so-called
"Laudable pus") then the patient would most likely recover, but if a woulnd
began to discharge the stinking black pus (gangerene) then the patient would
almost certainly die. So much so that I have heard stories of surgeons who
would deliberately introduce white pus from one patient to another in an
attempt to prevent gangrene from developing.
BMC
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