In Western cultures a death mask is a wax or plaster cast made of a person's face following death. Death masks may be mementos of the dead, or used for creation of portraits. It is sometimes possible to identify portraits that have been painted from death masks, because of the characteristic slight distortion of the features caused by the weight of the plaster during the making of the mold.

Shakespeare Death Mask

In Western cultures a death mask is a wax or plaster cast made of a person's face following death. Death…

In Western cultures a death mask is a wax or plaster cast made of a person's face following death. Death masks may be mementos of the dead, or used for creation of portraits. It is sometimes possible to identify portraits that have been painted from death masks, because of the characteristic slight distortion of the features caused by the weight of the plaster during the making of the mold.

Shakespeare Death Mask (Frontal View)

In Western cultures a death mask is a wax or plaster cast made of a person's face following death. Death…

In Western cultures a death mask is a wax or plaster cast made of a person's face following death. Death masks may be mementos of the dead, or used for creation of portraits. It is sometimes possible to identify portraits that have been painted from death masks, because of the characteristic slight distortion of the features caused by the weight of the plaster during the making of the mold.

Shakespeare Death Mask (Right Side)

In Western cultures a death mask is a wax or plaster cast made of a person's face following death. Death…

In Western cultures a death mask is a wax or plaster cast made of a person's face following death. Death masks may be mementos of the dead, or used for creation of portraits. It is sometimes possible to identify portraits that have been painted from death masks, because of the characteristic slight distortion of the features caused by the weight of the plaster during the making of the mold.

Shakespeare Death Mask (Left Side)

In Western cultures a death mask is a wax or plaster cast made of a person's face following death. Death…

"There are in all two hundred and six seperate bones in the adult skelton. The teeth are not bones, but are a part of the skin." — Blaisedell, 1904

Human skeleton

"There are in all two hundred and six seperate bones in the adult skelton. The teeth are not bones,…

Saint Alban was the first British Christian martyr. Along with his fellow saints Julius and Aaron, Alban is one of three martyrs remembered from Roman Britain.

St. Alban's Shrine

Saint Alban was the first British Christian martyr. Along with his fellow saints Julius and Aaron, Alban…

"And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and there shall no plague be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." Exodus 12:13 ASV
<p>Illustration of the angel of death passing by the door of an Israelite home. The door is marked on the top side with the smeared blood of an unblemished lamb. The angel hovers over the ground and carries a sword in his right hand. Inside the house, a family can be seen gathered around the table with the slaughtered lamb on it. They are observing the first Passover. Behind the angel, a child lies dead in the street. Two obelisks and a pyramid are in the background.

The Death Angel Passes Over an Israelite Door Marked with the Blood of a Lamb

"And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I…

"A tower, generally built about 25 feet high, on which the Parsees expose the bodies of their dead to be stripped of flesh by vultures. These towers are usually so arranged that the denuded bones fall through a grating into a pit, whence they are removed for burial." &mdash;Whitney, 1889
<p>These towers were built by the Zoroastrians, of which the Parsees are one group. This image shows a tower with some bones and carrion surrounding it and hills in the background.

Tower of Silence Built by the Parsees

"A tower, generally built about 25 feet high, on which the Parsees expose the bodies of their dead to…

"Then the high priest rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy: what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? They answered and said, He is worthy of death." Matthew 26:65-66 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus standing in trial before the High Priest, Caiaphas, and the other priests in the temple. Caiaphas rents his robe and points at Jesus in accusation. A soldier kneels at Jesus' feet with the rope that binds Jesus' feet. The soldier looks up at Jesus with arms open.

Jesus Appears Before Caiaphas, the High Priest

"Then the high priest rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy: what further need have we…

"Another kind of coffins employed by the Chaldeans consisted of two large earthenware vessels, shaped like ancient water-jars, set mouth to mouth and sealed with bitumen."

Glazed Coffins, from Warka

"Another kind of coffins employed by the Chaldeans consisted of two large earthenware vessels, shaped…

Death of General Warren

Warren's Death

Death of General Warren

The death of Wolfe.

Wolfe's Death

The death of Wolfe.