Excarnation

Annual report of the Bureau of ethnology to the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution (1881) (14782082584)

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Funeral scaffold of a Sioux chief 0044v

Excarnation is the practice of removing the flesh and organs of the dead before burial, leaving only the bones. This process has been observed in various cultures around the world and throughout history, serving different spiritual, practical, and cultural purposes. Excarnation can be achieved through natural or intentional means, including exposure to the elements, scavenging animals, or deliberate human action.

History and Cultural Practices

Excarnation has been a part of human burial practices for millennia. It is often associated with Zoroastrianism, where the dead were left in Towers of Silence to be exposed to the sun and scavenging birds, a practice believed to purify the body and soul. Similarly, in Tibet, Sky burial serves as a form of excarnation, with bodies offered to vultures in a ritual that reflects the Buddhist principle of compassion and the impermanence of life.

In prehistoric Europe, particularly among Celtic societies, evidence suggests that excarnation was practiced before the burial or cremation of bones. Archaeological findings, such as disarticulated and cut-marked bones, support the theory that these communities engaged in ritualistic excarnation.

Methods

The methods of excarnation vary significantly across cultures and time periods. Some common methods include:

• Natural Excarnation: Allowing the body to decompose naturally in the open air or water, where elements, scavenging animals, and birds contribute to the removal of flesh.
• Platform Burial: Placing the body on a raised platform or in a tree to facilitate exposure to the elements and scavenging birds.
• Manual Defleshing: Deliberate removal of flesh by human hands, using tools such as knives. This method is often part of a ritual process, with the bones treated with respect and sometimes used in ceremonies or kept as relics.

Spiritual and Cultural Significance

The spiritual and cultural significance of excarnation varies. For some cultures, it is a way to speed the soul's journey to the afterlife by returning the body to the earth or sky. It may also reflect beliefs about purity, transformation, and the cycle of life and death. In many cases, the practice of excarnation is deeply intertwined with a community's worldview and religious practices.

Contemporary Practices

While less common in the modern world, forms of excarnation still exist in certain cultures and religious practices. Sky burials and the Zoroastrian tradition of the Tower of Silence continue, though with decreasing frequency due to urbanization and changing religious practices.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

In many parts of the world, excarnation practices face legal and ethical challenges, particularly in regions where such practices intersect with public health concerns, land use laws, and cultural sensitivities. The preservation of traditional practices must often be balanced with contemporary legal and social norms.

Conclusion

Excarnation, as a practice of processing the dead, offers a window into the diverse ways humans understand and ritualize death. It underscores the variety of beliefs about the body, soul, and afterlife that have existed across cultures and epochs. As societies evolve, the practices and meanings attached to excarnation may change, but the fascination with this aspect of human culture remains.

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