Delve into the journey of an extreme athlete studying time perception in isolation, the gruesome history of walling people alive, perspectives on this punishment, sponsorship discussions, and the intriguing connection between a letter and an Edgar Allan Poe story.
Extended isolation and lack of sunlight can distort a person's experience of time.
Immemrien, the act of sealing a living person into a wall or tomb, has been practiced throughout history for punishment, ritual, and structural reinforcement.
Deep dives
Exploring the Research Expedition
Beatrice Flamini, an extreme athlete from Spain, participated in a research expedition called Time Cave, collaborating with the University of Granada. Flamini spent 500 days alone, 230 feet underground in a cave, to study the effects of extended isolation and lack of sunlight on a person's experience of time. Flamini embraced the challenge, engaging in activities such as reading, weaving, exercising, drawing, and preparing meals during her time underground. Her reluctance to leave when rescued indicated her enjoyment and unfinished book.
The Historical Practice of Imemrien
Imemrien, the act of sealing a living person into a wall or tomb, has been practiced throughout history as a form of punishment, political execution, religious ritual, or even to strengthen the construction of buildings. Examples include the immurement of Vestal Virgins in ancient Rome who broke their chastity vows, Christian clerics accused of pedophilia in Bavaria, and the Duke of Olomutz emuring an abbot and 20 monks. Imemrien was also a common practice in Japan for building bridges and castles. The act could involve sacrificing humans, animals, or symbolic representations, and it was believed that the spirits or presence of those immured would protect or strengthen the structure.
Embrace of Solitude and Spirituality
Anchorism, a voluntary form of ememrien, was practiced predominantly by women in medieval times. Anchorists willingly entered cells attached to churches and lived in solitude, dedicating their lives to prayer and contemplation. Their cells were small and sealed, but they received food and water through small windows. Anchorists like Julian of Norwich wrote influential books during their seclusion, while also engaging in handiwork. The practice of anchorism was relatively popular in medieval England, with about 200 anchorists living in cells during the 13th to 15th centuries. Despite the isolated existence, they sometimes had visitors seeking their advice and wisdom.
People have a lot of fears. From spiders to the open sea, lots of things put us on edge. But few things are as downright terrifying as this particular circumstance…and it has been for thousands of years.
Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing and research by GennaRose Nethercott and music by Chad Lawson.