It was left there until the body had decomposed enough to no longer be of interest to bodysnatchers (who would steal freshly buried bodies to sell to medical colleges for dissection). At this point, the mortsafe was usually removed so it could be used on another burial, but this one has been left on place. I learned about this from Lorraine Murray's very informative recent talk on the Ramshorn Cemetery for the Alexander Greek Thomson Society.
One of the most unusual features in the Ramshorn Cemetery in central Glasgow. This is the remains of a cast-iron mortsafe, it's outline just visible through the grass. Invented in the 1810s, this style of mortsafe was a heavy coffin-shaped metal box which was rented by a bereaved family and placed over the wooden coffin after interment.
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#glasgow #glasgowhistory #mortsafe #ramshorncemetery #bodysnatchers
This led to the development of many different ways to try to thwart them, including using large stone slabs to top the graves, adding heavy stone memorials directly over the buried coffin, adding metal grilles, and surrounding them with iron cages made by local foundries, such as Fulton and Son of Trongate in Glasgow.
#glasgow #ramshorncemetery #mortsafe #graveyard #resurrectionmen
Mortsafes and other devices from the Ramshorn Cemetery in central Glasgow which were used to ensure the dead stayed in their graves. They were needed because prior to the anatomy act of 1832, freshly buried bodies were at risk of being stolen by resurrection men (also known as bodysnatchers), who would sell them to local medical schools for dissection by their students.
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#glasgow #ramshorncemetery #mortsafe #graveyard #resurrectionmen
Invented in the 1810s, the heavy coffin-shaped mortsafe was placed over the wooden coffin after interment and left there until the body had decomposed enough to no longer be suitable for dissection. The watchhouse would be occupied for the same period of time.
A cast iron mortsafe and stone watchhouse in the Cadder Parish Churchyard on the outskirts of Glasgow.
These features were designed to thwart the body-snatchers of the early 1800s who would steal the recently buried to sell to local medical schools.
Cont./
Invented in the 1810s, the heavy coffin-shaped mortsafe was placed over the wooden coffin after interment and left there until the body had decomposed enough to no longer be suitable for dissection. The watchhouse would be occupied for the same period of time.
#glasgow #cadder #church #glasgowchurches #mortsafe #bodysnatchers #glasgowhistory
A cast iron mortsafe and stone watchhouse in the Cadder Parish Churchyard on the outskirts of Glasgow. These features were designed to thwart the body-snatchers of the early 1800s who would steal the recently buried to sell to local medical schools.
Cont./
#glasgow #cadder #church #glasgowchurches #mortsafe #bodysnatchers #glasgowhistory
This Is My Glasgow
oldguycrusty
Jon Bowie