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[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

Clansgian AT wmconnect.com wrote:

> This was the way it was done in ancient times.  The dead were left in tombs 
> for six months to a year during which time the flesh was eaten away.  The 
> limestone container in which the dead reposed was called in Greek a 'sarcophagus' 
> that is 'flesh eater'.  Afterwards the bones were gathered up and put into a 
> much smaller container (about the size of a bread box) called the 'ossuary'  = 
> 'bone box'.   The smaller ossuaries took up less space and the sarcophagus 
> could be used over and over.

Thanks, James.
I knew the terms, but never thought about the action of moving the body 
from one to another.  I guess I thought the ossuary more like an urn for 
cremated remains.  What you said makes more sense, however.

B

--
BevanRon of EarthNSky Farm   NW Georgia USDA Zone 7
34.498N 85.076W    Bev is Earth, Ron is Sky