Ritual Modification

An overview of varied practices from prehistoric to present of human’s pursuit of the super mundane through physical alteration of the body. This lecture explores ritual use of amputating, dental and cranial modifying, bloodletting, tattooing, piercing, cicatrizing, suspending and flagellating from around the world and throughout time.

(This lecture does not include temporary stresses such as cold, heat, smoke, intoxicants, fasting, sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, music, dance, chant, meditation, nor modifications done for aesthetics, such as tooth inlays and skull reshaping.)

~3 hours
by: Paul King