Archaeologists Found a Truly Bizarre Burial in an Isolated Medieval Graveyard

Science Alert ^ | December 15, 2021 | Peter Dockrill

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

In New Zealand orcas began to hunt together with local whalers. They shared in the eventual catch. Perhaps this porpoise did something like this and led local fishermen in fishing, or saved them by leading them home in the fog. People bury their pets why not a porpoise.

[SunkenCiv]

https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/new-zealand/articles/the-truth-behind-the-new-zealand-legend-of-this-heroic-dolphin/

[Magnatron]

"Why go to the trouble of burying a porpoise in what looks like a grave?"

Maybe ‘cause it was stinking up the campsite…?

[gundog]

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Actually they do think it might have been stored for food but in that case it should have been packed around with salt and there should have been traces left.

It could have done something "heroic" pushed someone into shore or fought off a shark (are there sharks there? Probably) and died in the attempt.

Since it would have been regarded as a miracle giving it a Christian burial would have been regarded as the right thing to do.

[Srednik]

Seafarers have a high regard for porpoises. There are recorded incidents of these intelligent mammals saving human lives. Perhaps it was a tribute to a lifesaver.

[scott7278]

No. No! Don’t encourage that! That was a 40-minute story!

- Conan O’

[BradyLS]

So they’re plumbing for a patent purpose for the plotted porpoise?

[ViLaLuz]

Mmmmmmmm hakarl, followed by a shot of Aquavit.

[Larry Lucido]

[CatHerd]

Those monks had a hidden porpoise.

[PIF]

“Why go to the trouble of burying a porpoise in what looks like a grave?”

—
Because it was some crazy woman’s ‘husband’ like her modern counter part two decades ago in the UK that married her porpoise? Rumor had it, she didn’t survive the nuptials. Perhaps the woman from the past did not either, and her family killed the animal but honored it by a burial.

[Scarlett156]

Mr K says don’t knock rotted, putrefying shark meat until you’ve tried it.

[Scarlett156]

I almost mentioned that in my post - dolphins/porpoises are mentioned in classical literature as having helped people who were drowning, shipwrecked, etc.

[SunkenCiv]

LOL

Maybe she was drunk to the gil- never mind...

[ViLaLuz]

I have, and I like it. The aquavit was tough, though.

[EVO X]

I don’t put a high probability on this, but it might be possible the porpoise was put on ice after being caught and was forgotten about for some reason.