Ancient Living Treasure Found in 1902 Lykens Twp.

[jeff of pa]

Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.), 25 April 1902.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ship&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

 

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[aaronsm321]

What do you think a "giant land turtle" might be? The only native Ohio turtle I am finding is the eastern box turtle. It lives up to 100 years but the shell size is only about 5-10 inches. I dont know of any "giant" land turtles in ohio. Was it custom at one time to carve names and dates in living turtles and stick them on their back as a marker? What a strange story.

 

[jeff of pa]

I'm taking for Granted Box turtle , Only because as a Kid we painted our names on the back of a Few before they eventually walked off.

Of course Painting takes up More space, Especially Being Children .

My guess they Physically Carved small Initials.

btw , I don't see "Giant" in the article , I only see Ancient

 

[aaronsm321]

Good catch! I must have thought "giant". I know turtles have been stored on their backs as a food staple, I have never heard of burying them.

I found some articles this morning relating to the tradition:
https://www.tribdem.com/news/editor...cle_02cd5a3e-3c95-11e7-96b1-c733e6bb53ea.html

https://www.timesobserver.com/news/local-news/2013/07/turtle-carries-carvings-for-nearly-century/

https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/06/ancient-box-turtle-is-back-again-in-dauphin-county.html

 

[jeff of pa]

yep & I think the Cruelty Bit is the Crybaby animal Rights crowd. Nothing more.
First off it's Bone at most . I doubt it has nerve endings.
or are they trying to say their turtle friends are calling them names for having initials
Has anyone heard One Squeal While Carving ? I doubt it.
no one would have finished Carving their whole Initials.
unless they Enjoy Torture

would be like carving initials on a cats shaved stomach.
and their age proves it didn't kill them.

I Don't know if any of Your links say... But I think Turtles Hibernate Underground
And lay their eggs there too.

like skulls,
shells would probably have made good cups and bowels many moons before dinnerware