Most of us have picture albums filled with photographs that bring back loving memories! While looking through bums aged pages, at the black and white photos of my Great Grand-dad, I can remember stroller rides and even the pleasant aroma of the cherry tobacco, that used to waft up from his pipe.
My Great Grandfather bless his soul, passed away long ago. If your like me, you probably also have photos of loved ones who have passed away. When you look at these pictures do sweet memories of days gone by flood back into your mind? Can you remember the pleasant times that you shared? Is it almost as if they were still alive?
Most of us don't realize it, but these images also prompt deeper subconscious emotions, that revolve around the theme of mortality and death. As uncomfortable as it may be, we are surrounded by these kind of images. From news cast to Hollywood horror movies, we're exposed to images that remind us that one day, we will indeed cease to be!
At no other time of the year is this more true, than on the eve of Halloween, when people dress up in deathly costumes and decorate their house and garden with skeletons, sculls and other scary things.
When you think of sculls what comes to mind? Are you reminded of graveyards, head hunters, shrunken heads or perhaps the skull and crossbones of pirate flags? Most likely, you probably wouldn't think of the Bible! However, in 1950's, Cambridge archeologist stumbled across an amazing find that is indeed biblical.
They were working at the site of the ancient city of Jericho, which you may recall from the Old Testament book of Joshua. Just as they were packing up their gear, they saw something protruding from an area dated to around 9000 years ago. The startling discovery that they made, was a human skull that was like non other.
It was no ordinary skull, for it had been reconstructed with plaster. An artist had reconstructed its nose and entire face and used very valuable cowry shell's for its eyes. The skull had also been squared off at the base so that it could have sat upright.
What made the discovery even more unique was that this skull was not found in a burial grounds. It positioned on the shelf of one of Jericho's ancient residences. They didn't just find one of these sculls, with further excavation, they went on to find eight more.
The archeologist were puzzled! What in the world were these used skull for? What did they mean? Why would someone living 9000 years ago in Jericho, decorate their home with a reconstructed skull? The only plausible explanation that they could come up with, was that the these sculls represented a type of portraiture, similar to our pictures of deceased relatives.
Some psychologist believe that the images of our loved ones who have passed away, may offer a form of comfort and help us accept the reality of our own mortality.
