Immurement

The walling was a common in antiquity among many peoples custom or punishment. Here, people or animals were buried alive under new buildings.

After the collapse of the building damaligem faith should be prevented and kept damage. Today this custom is preserved even as the foundation stone at the target festivals of new, larger buildings. In particular, the Germanic legends know many examples of Einmauerungen to report. Bone remains of humans and animals, which were found under the foundation wall or bridge piers, testify to the universality of the custom.

Dissemination

One finds the custom of the Greeks, the Romans, the Celts, the Slavs, the Germans, but also in India and Southeast Asia, Japan, China and Australia. In particular, related children. Only the main were immured Instead of the body sometimes, from which the name of the Capitol ( caput toli ) in Rome is explained. From Italian mafia organizations are Einmauerungen eg become known in bridge piers as an instrument of terror and revenge.

Tiereinmauerungen

While people or body parts mainly einmauerte, thereby preventing the collapse, one related animals to thereby keep diseases from the perimeter of the building. Also in this case, the main may be employed for the whole animal. Almost all species are mentioned in the legends of Einmauerungen of animals, especially dogs often, roosters and horses. As put an end to the encroachment of civilization this custom, were bones and stone figures in place of the living beings.

Related Customs

Besides the aforementioned foundation stones also in many localities attached to the houses animal heads are symbolic remains of walling.

Punishment

The walling in a narrow prison comes as a punishment before in the medieval Inquisition judgments.

• Funeral ritual ( Antiquity)
• Festivals and Customs
• Punishment