A cast of Jonathan Swift’s skull.

Sometimes you build a theory and it doesn’t quite reflect reality. There’s a lot to be said for trail and error, though.

I learned about this little research and documentation project when Esther and I visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.  Since Jonathan Swift (the head of that church) had been such an exceptional guy, researchers decided to dig up his body and document the shape of his skull by making a plaster copy.

With the task completed, they laid his skeleton back to rest.

Esther visited me Halloween week and, coincidentally, we saw an unbelievable number of actual skeletons, mummies, petrified bodies and heads while she was here.  One curator even let us touch a mummy. Esther refused the offer but I couldn’t resist.

An explanation of exactly what they thought they’d gain.