Boiling and Freezing Bodies Two Bizarre New Funeral Practices

 Since the very beginning of time, humans have been fascinated with death and obsessed with burying rituals of the beloved and expired. We have placed the dead in mausoleums, underground, in temples and pyramids, in specimen jars, rolled out in college classes, trotted on horseback, we have photographed them, saluted them, mummified them, transformed them into saints and, more recently, cremated them.

Like no other species under the sun, we have been bewitched by the sheer creativity of how to handle, discard or memorialize the dead. In essence, we have come so far in history and yet regressed greatly when it comes to holding human life precious, sacred or with dignity or respect.

Creative burials are still being invented. These latest two burial practices have just come to fruition - and one is not even available in the U.S. yet.

The 6,000 Year Old Winery Discovered in Armenia

 The wine press (center, with vat slightly to the right), dating to roughly 4100 B.C., was found in the cave among tombs and jars containing dried fruit. This photograph was made when the excavation was in progress.

While digging in a remote cave complex near Armenia's southern border with Iran, in the little village of Areni – known for its winemaking even today – a team of scientists recently happened upon an amazing discovery. Inspired by the possibilities the examination of dried up grape seeds found at the site threw up, the intrepid researchers began to excavate the area further and found the oldest complete wine production facility known to man! This included grape seeds, vats, remains of pressed grapes, a wine press, wine soaked potsherds, cups and drinking bowls, all 6,100 years old!