Introducing 

Prezi AI.

Your new presentation assistant.

Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.

Loading…
Transcript

No one was

permitted to touch the

body except the Shaman. The number of shaman indicated the level of social standing of the deceased.

Blue stones were thought to protect the dead body from evil spirits.

Therefore two blue stones were placed in bed with the deceased.

A body had to be removed from the house through a hole in the wall. The body could not go out through the front door as that would allow bad spirits to enter the house.

Mongolians left the body whole before bringing it to the wild.

This is unlike the Tibetans who cut the body into pieces

making it easier for birds and other animals to consume.

It was hoped that the body would be eaten by birds because birds could carry the soul to the sky quickly.

Mongolian Air Sacrifice

After death the corpse was placed in their bed

and a white silk scarf was placed over their face.

Joseph Cosmai

Stones were placed around the head of the corpse so that community members could later identify the location.

Leaving the corpse in a field to be consumed by animals and birds is called exposure.

When the corpse had not been eaten by

wild animals or birds, people tended to believe that the deceased might have committed sins before death

The Death of Genghis Khan

Air sacrifice or burial?

Air sacrifice is not the only burial ritual throughout Mongolian history but it was particularly popular prior to tomb culture. The deceased were to be returned to one of the four elements earth, air, water or fire. So Mongolian Air Sacrifice was only one of many burial rituals to be used.

Learn more about creating dynamic, engaging presentations with Prezi