Posted on 12/17/2021 6:36:39 PM PST by SunkenCiv
A three-week archaeological dig in the English Channel took a bizarre, inexplicable turn, after researchers chanced upon a carefully cut grave hidden in the soil – the contents of which were definitely not human.
The discovery, made on the small island of Chapelle Dom Hue off the coast of Guernsey in September 2017, revealed the ancient remains of a medieval porpoise buried in the earth, and archaeologists were at a loss to explain the story behind this mysterious animal tomb.
"It's very peculiar, I don't know what to make of it," archaeologist Philip de Jersey from Oxford University in the UK told The Guardian at the time.
"Why go to the trouble of burying a porpoise in what looks like a grave?"
...de Jersey expected to find the remains of a medieval monk in the tomb, as the island is thought to have been a religious retreat for monks seeking refuge.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencealert.com ...
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.
Maybe ‘cause it was stinking up the campsite…?
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.
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.
No. No! Don’t encourage that! That was a 40-minute story!
- Conan O’
So they’re plumbing for a patent purpose for the plotted porpoise?
Mmmmmmmm hakarl, followed by a shot of Aquavit.
Those monks had a hidden porpoise.
“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.
Mr K says don’t knock rotted, putrefying shark meat until you’ve tried it.
I almost mentioned that in my post - dolphins/porpoises are mentioned in classical literature as having helped people who were drowning, shipwrecked, etc.
LOL
Maybe she was drunk to the gil- never mind...
I have, and I like it. The aquavit was tough, though.
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.
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