Dear Dave,

I am aware of the global distribution of similar practices. Other the the
intermittent prehistoric European examples I mentioned in earlier postings, I
also know of the practice from Mesopotamia and, in a somewhat different form
(hippo jawbones used apotropaically as doorstops), Ancient Egypt. This is one
of the problems when tracking down a cultural origin -- precedence or the mere
existence of a comparable example is never really enough. Kon Tiki-type
situations can result if we're not careful to contextualize - i.e., bring into
play more than one category of information, which I hope to be able to do.

Maureen Basedow
Visiting Asst. Professor
UNC-Wilmington

>===== Original Message From HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY <[log in to unmask]> =====
>Ron and Maureen
>
>This practice is more global than Ron suggests.  For example, this
>procedure has been practiced for at least 4,000 years in the Andes of
>South America, and is till employed there today, so although the Spanish
>came in 500 years ago, and although African slaves also were brought in,
>so there is a possibility of some blending, basically the practice there
>is Andean.  I would not be surprised if you found respondents talking
>about it from around the world., in as mucha s we now have comments on
>Europe, Africa, and South America....
>
>dave browman
>
>
>> Maureen,
>>
>> Burial of animal heads and certain kinds of artifacts near windows, doors,
>> and firehearths is an old European pagan custom that evolved from appeasing
>> earth deities to warding-off witches. Although I have never heard of
raccoon
>> skulls, this practice is known from the 16th-19th centuries in the Eastern
>> seaboard and no doubt others will report more. This sounds like a mix of
>> Aftrican and European protection rituals. There is a symposium planned for
>> the Mobile, Alabama SHA Conference on this very topic.
>>
>> Ron May
>> Legacy 106, Inc.
>>