Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

I've always been proud to know that the USA have it in our traditions, and I'm guessing written into our military codes, that we give our aged or damaged emblems an honorable and clean send-off in fire.

Its was always nice to know that the flag I was trained to salute would never end in the trash or some such place.

I don't mean to come across all gung-ho patriotic or anything. Its just nice to give honor to something that you have been assured will remain honored.

EDIT:
...and honorably retired.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

9th century woman found buried with a ring that says "for Allah" on it.

Were there muslims living in Sweden in the 9th century? Obviously not many, but still...

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

THey also found a Buddha statue in a Viking settlement. How many of these things were objects of veneration, and how many were just exotic treasures is hard to say. Still let me include Buddhist Viking demon hunters in a game once, so I'm happy either way.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

The thing is, the ring showed little or no sign of wear and tear so it's probable that it hadn't passed through many hands before the woman got it. That's why they think it was bought from the craftsman, not taken in a raid.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

Taking it from the person who bought it from the craftsman would only add one more set of hands (Or two if you think the Viking raider who stole it gave it to the woman).


Hans

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

According to a new book, there are still wartime caches of mustard gas hidden around the Australian mainland.
Sydney’s secret chemical weapon disaster brought to light in Death by Mustard Gas
Warning: Article contains graphic images of chemical burns

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

I'm not an archeologist, so I assume they have thought of that. It does not seem strange that there would be muslim women in Sweden at that time, so we really don't need that extraordinary evidence.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

It doesn't seem strange to me that trade goods wouldn't get handled much. We're not talking about a ring being worn for a lifetime and passed down, generation to generation. Just one that "changed hands" making its way northward. Might have been touched once at each step, hardly enough to wear stone and metal.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

In Sweden in the 70's, you were only allowed one phone per household unless you had special permission from the government.

Re: Real-Life Weirdness
 

See this ring/tattoo/shirt? It says, "Wisdom".