Naria, a carved menhir, and human remains

[Kima]

I visited the Laténium ( http://www.latenium.ch/#latenium1?id=1 ) the other day and it was amazing. It wasn't the first time I'd been there but having dicovered druidry in the meanwhile made a profound difference in the way I approached the exhibition. Importantly, the Laténium is situated in a beautiful lakeside setting that reflects the history it recounts, and which happens to be the region where I grew up

One of the highlights for me was a roman pillar found in a local church which mentions a goddess called Naria. Doing a quick search on the internet, I learned that she's only mentioned in two sources and is therefore neither a Roman nor a Celtic deity, but comes from this specific region. There is an Italian-style statue of her but, her hand being broken, there is no way of knowing what her attributes were. I can only imagine what the possibilities are for me, having come across a little-known goddess that comes from the very place where I was born! Being new to this, I have a question: how do you go about re-creating an identity to (or at least relating to) a god that was forgotten long ago?

The other highlight was an amazing menhir with a face and thoracic cage carved in it. It looks like God as we usually depict him, sitting on a cloud (Stupidly, I forgot to record its name for reference.) The stone had a tangible presence which makes me want to visit it again and even bring an offering... but this is a museum and no appropriate place for ceremony, especially for a beginner druid like me! Have any of you had similar issues? I could easily bring something on the museum ground, which has wonderful and accessible reproductions of, among other things, a palafitte, a celtic bridge, a tumulus, and an actual menhir. But inside?

Which brings me to the last thing I wanted to mention: human remains. My mum, who came with me, had no objection for the display of human remains, seeing as "they are dead anyway". I am often amazed at how small a sense of the sacred people allow themselves to develop. I know that in Britain druids have fought for reburial of such remains and, being a scholar in Native American literature, am also well aware of the issues surrounding the repatriation of sacred objects to Indigenous peoples -although admittedly, the context is quite different here in Europe. This means that although I find the Laténium truly impressive, I have problems with some of the barriers it imposes on its spiritually-minded visitors. Any thoughts on that?

[DJ Droood]

This means that although I find the Laténium truly impressive, I have problems with some of the barriers it imposes on its spiritually-minded visitors. Any thoughts on that?

I visited the Laténium last November...I didn't have much time, and got there an hour before closing. I would love to go back someday and linger..it was one of the most impressive museums I have ever visited. My attitude towards artifacts and historical monuments and stones, etc, is sort of animistic, I think....by simply being in its presence, I recognize and honour the object, and perhaps whatever spirit or energy the object possess will recognize me. I don't think a 5,000 year old menhir would be much impressed with my chanting and offerings...but I may be wrong.

As for remains, the only ones I recall at Laténium were the time-line of skulls. Honestly, whenever I see human remains in an exhibit, like the bog bodies, or Lindow Man or mummies, I ask myself, "would you want to be dug up and displayed?" and the answer is always "yes!" I have visited recently deceased bodies in tasteful funeral homes to pay my respects, so why can't I see long deceased bodies in tasteful museum surroundings, to pay my respect? I think it is an oddly spiritual thing..almost primal...to want to see dead bodies. Or maybe it is mostly a European thing.

[Dendrias]

Honestly, whenever I see human remains in an exhibit, like the bog bodies, or Lindow Man or mummies, [...] I have visited recently deceased bodies in tasteful funeral homes to pay my respects, [...] I think it is an oddly spiritual thing..almost primal...to want to see dead bodies. Or maybe it is mostly a European thing.

I thought You were from Canada.
I sincerely apologise for kidding around, because I know You had something different in mind when saying what You said.

I could imagine the following:
If You're looking with the urge of "gaping at dead bodies" - that's not respectful and the bodies should be reburied.
If You go there in respect for You or others' ancestors, they could feel honoured. As DJ Drood does: paying respect.
But I wouldn't want to give advice in this regard or pretend to do so.

[Kima]

Honestly, whenever I see human remains in an exhibit, like the bog bodies, or Lindow Man or mummies, I ask myself, "would you want to be dug up and displayed?" and the answer is always "yes!" I have visited recently deceased bodies in tasteful funeral homes to pay my respects, so why can't I see long deceased bodies in tasteful museum surroundings, to pay my respect?

Funny, I would hate to have my remains on display! The very purpose of being buried consists of going back to the earth and staying there, at least the way I see it. But in the case of the museum, it is that these people were usually buried with their most precious belongings in order to pass safely to the other world and that I believe this should be respected. Hence the issue I take with opening tombs, taking the objects away from the bodies, and displaying the rest. By the way, what I am refering to here is mainly the female skeleton with a child at her side which is displayed in a sort of open tomb with a glass cover that allows the visitor to see the body as it was found.

[DJ Droood]

I thought You were from Canada.

I am...but I probably retain the head hunting/pickled skull-displaying gene of my ancestors.