Ritual and Site

Why the need for site and object?  Objects serve as symbols for stories – stories are the belief system – objects acknowledge the belief system.  Is it the person/people who formulate the belief system that use site and objects as control?  Or is it our human sensual need for touch and seeing that that require we have something to hold, something to look at, a place to be?  Conclusion – I am interested in both aspects – how/why we make our own significant moments and how/why we buy into those that are set up for us. Also, our need to mark space and time. 

A bit of notes from looking around on-line:

People need rituals to mark passages of life and death. 

People need to go somewhere and do something to mark a loss or celebrate the new.  

Objects (souvenirs to be kept in remembrance of event - need tangible to remember - later photography becomes object) or objects used to perform ritual.  Space, gathering site needed to mourn or celebrate.  Marking the passage of time.  Recognize emotion.  Gather together or alone. 

Rituals mark the passage of time.  Birthdays, anniversaries.

Leaving coins on a grave - originates from Greek Mythology, paying ones way to a resting place in the under world Hades, place coin in mouth, no coin and you were left to wander and haunt in the upper world. 

Coins then moved to be placed on eyes, then feet and then grave.

Burial customs of Romans:

-The soul thought to need provisions in afterlife, ground above tomb a garden so spirit may wander about and enjoy.  

-Cenotaph - an empty tomb for someone who died at sea, the need to mark a space, the need for a site and the tangible.

Inhumation begins Paleolithic era.  Practical or esoteric - it is unclear.  Later peoples believed humans formed out of the earth, so possible giving back to earth was significant.

Interesting bits of info the above book.  Read for free on google.  Link here.