Just to demonstrate another aspect of this, I remember hearing of
reputed instances of people being walled up alive in the corners of some
churches built in the Mayan parts of Mesoamerica, one example being the
church of the Black Christ in Esquipulas, Guatemala. They are said to
have been volunteers to act as "guardians of the four directions"
similar to the archangels in European ceremonial magic. As these
churches are still in use, there is no archaeological confirmation of
this practice yet.

Marty Pickands

>>> [log in to unmask] 08/30/06 12:53 PM >>>
Concealed objects have been identified in cathedrals in Europe,
including hats, clothing, shoes, and horse skulls in pulpits. I seem
to
recall reading about figurines plastered into walls over cathedral
entrances as well. In many instances, the concealed objects appear to
have been added during repair or addition work to the church,
suggesting
that the church itself was unaware of the worker's attempts at
spiritual
protection.

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Ron
May
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 12:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask] 
Subject: Re: Concealed objects in buildings

 
In a message dated 8/30/2006 5:44:57 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

While  not concealed, many european cathedrals have carvings that are  

designed to ensnare or block the entrance of the "wicked". It has   
been years, but if I remember correctly, Regensburg has a carving of  

the "Devil's grandmother" in the entranceway. The idea being that  the
carving would prevent Satan and his minions from entering  the
building.
Other cathedrals have similar carvings.

James  Brothers, RPA
[log in to unmask] 



Would that explain the gargoyles that sit inside the churches? I have
a
friend who bought a replica as a souvenier and it is absolutely
hideous.
The iconography of churches would be a fascinating topic, especially
for
the early ones in England and Europe.
 
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.