Episode 5 - Lost Libraries

The drive to create something unique and enduring lies behind many of humankind's most significant achievements. Yet, what happens when this desire leads to the creation of something grisly and blasphemous? In this episode, we dive into the history and known details of one of the most unique and unsettling artifacts in the world of book history: the "Blood Quran," a copy of the Quran reported to be written in Saddam Hussein's blood.

Libraries are some of a humankind's most valuable cultural records. Through the holdings of these archives, the collected knowledge of entire civilizations are preserved and made available for future generations. But, despite their value, these holdings are made of fragile materials, and disaster does not discriminate. In this episode, we discuss the tragedy of libraries that have been threatened, damaged, or lost altogether.

Books themselves were created as a compact alternative to larger forms of writing, such as scrolls and tablets. However, not all creators have this purpose in mind when they make their books. In this episode, we examine the infamous Codex Gigas and the World's Largest Bible - books that are, in their stories and their physical size, "larger than life." To a video of on the creation of the Waynai Bible, check out the link below: https://blogs.acu.edu/specialcollections/rare-books/waynai-bible/

We have all heard of magic words. From the incantations found in Harry Potter to the runes of Northern Europe, these magical utterances have seeped into our popular consciousness. However, the belief that words hold magical powers has its roots in real life cultural beliefs. In this episode, we will dive into the history of these magic words with a discussion of runic magic and an exploration of people across the globe that choose to ingest, rather than read, their sacred scriptures.

In the second half of this two-part exploration of anthropodermic bibliopegy - the binding of books in human skin - we discuss genuine skin-bound books from both the nineteenth and twentieth century. Listen to discover out who created these books, and why they undertook such a grisly act. 

Anthropodermic Bibliopegy, the binding of books in human skin, has long captured our imagination works of fiction. However, under the surface of these popular works lies a factual practice that dates back centuries. During the first half of this two-part dive into history of anthropodermic bibliopegy, we will discuss the earliest works purported to be bound in human flesh.

Get a brief glimpse into what awaits on The Forgotten Archive podcast. Look for the first full episodes – a two-part dive into books bound in human skin – on Monday, January 16!