Quote:
Originally Posted by AstralTraveller
[SIZE=2]Alex, there is a widespread tendency for neophytes to cogitate on an issue for 5 minutes and then think that they have seen something which is invisible to experts who spend their lives studying the subject. It's always good for a laugh.
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Hi David.
Well I hope my effort gave you a laugh and perhaps you are right and laymen should resist the urge to wonder and enquire else they be seen to rise above their station in life.
I think however AFTER is concerned with times more recent and from the little I know about the organization I think they are somewhat concerned with factual interpretaions in the modern era rather than the situation and the subject of my post which I suggested was the folly of forming an opinion based merely opon the norms of the modern era and excuding or rather ognoring what would have been practical considerations for the very early humans who it was suggested buried their dead due to compassion or due to some religious considerations.
I should go over my reading and outline the specific comments so as to identify the issue with clarity but I dont regard it that important that I establish beyong doubt that even for a layman my critism holds some reasonable validity.
I suppose if we look we may find that my observation has been made by someone who has spent their life studying the matter but having already spent well beyond five minutes on the subject I feel it has already taken far too much of my time.
I note you are at Wollongong and AFTER is at Woolongong and to recoeve such a flyer suggests you are somewhat close to the folk in AFTER and if so you could ask about very early burials and if/could practical considerations have been the initial driver that laid the foundations for the rituals and proceedures observed as humans evolved.
AFTER is a rather unique organization and I dont think we find similar anywhere else in the world other than USA. I wonder if China has something like it.
OK I confess...I have been studying burial practises for a while but its something one does not mention as folk think it is odd..however I find it curious the various ways in the past and even in the modern era that humans dispose of their dead...my favorite is leaving the remains on a hill top for the birds to feed upon...that is an interesting one when you ask why is that a good idea of those who practice that approach.
Thanks for bringing some great content to the thread... certainly way beyond anything I hoped for when I first posted.
Alex