Your ancestors might have just hammered you into the ground

Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine. Except, apparently, for some people buried in ancient Rome. What’s that about? Well, here's the thing: archaeologists digging around in Rome's Ostiense necropolis found three skeletons with iron nails driven into their chests. Yes, actual nails. The experts are suggesting it was a ritual to "protect" both the living and the dead, perhaps to prevent restless spirits from wandering about. Can you imagine? Being so worried about your great-aunt Mildred's ghost that you give her a good hammering for good measure? It does make you wonder if they ever tried just, you know, a nice cup of tea and a quiet chat instead.

It’s hard to imagine something like that happening here in Victoria, isn't it? We have our own peculiar ways, certainly – a pervasive belief that we are, in fact, the actual capital of Canada, for one. And yes, the deer wander through Beacon Hill Park as if they own the place, which, let's be honest, they probably do. But actual iron nails in a chest? We prefer our spirits to be of the quiet, slightly melancholic sort, perhaps admiring the cherry blossoms in James Bay or browsing for first editions on Fort Street. We might leave out a scone or two, maybe a small glass of sherry, but never a nail. That's just… not very polite, is it?

Agnes Szymanski, MiTL Sports Desk.

You can hear Keith dissecting things like this every morning. Check it out at mornings.live.