Taxidermy | Dying Arts #12

Despite some admitted squeamishness, for this week's Haunting Season-themed bonus episode, we're exploring the uncanny history and craft of Taxidermy.

Part of the "Dying Arts" series, we begin by chatting through distinctions between Ancient Egyptian mummification and the modern practice of taxidermy - a term which only came into usage in the 19th century, despite Renaissance-era apothecaries having stuffed crocodiles hanging from their ceilings. Let alone 18th century exotic trophy hunting becoming an increasingly popular pastime.

The processes we detail as used in the past are pretty wild, including toxic corpse enemas, the boiling of animals, and large-scale gassing of dozens if not hundreds of creatures to create of displays intended for public and private amusement.

But what are the ethics of taxidermy, and why have our attitudes towards it changed so much across the last century?

Also encompassing modern techniques such as freeze drying specimens, the new tradition of 'Rogue Taxidermy', and the pioneering works of practitioners like Gunther Von Hagen, it's an episode in which we try to keep an open mind - although while Eleanor's research has hardened her and normalised a lot of what we discuss, along the way Martin reveals himself to be more squeamish than anyone might expect...

As such, it's a pretty wild ride, and one which folds in squirrels in boxing rings, flesh-eating beetles, misleading dodo mounts, and much more, so settle in for a good one.

Though possibly not if you're planning on eating at the same time...

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Three Ravens is a completely independent English myth and folklore podcast where we share stories, celebrate folk culture, and fall backwards through the hedgerows of history.

Hosted by real-life couple Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux, and mostly recorded at our home in rural Sussex in southern England, Three Ravens is rated 4.8/5 from over 500 reviews and has grown by word of mouth care of our lovely listener community ‘The Conspiracy of Ravens.’

We release three episodes a week, on Mondays, Thursday and Saturdays, through which we explore folktales, folkways, fairy stories, folk songs, mythology, local heritage, seasonal customs and traditional beliefs.

Our research inspires our retellings of stories from across history and culture, with episodes standing alone but connected together across over 500 chatty, mostly light-hearted, swear-free installments driven by passion, kindness and curiosity.

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