ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions Shocking Things that were "Normal" in the Victorian Era
The Victorian era was a time of great change and curiosity. People back then were known for their unique and sometimes strange habits. While they were classy and sophisticated, they also did some things that might seem odd to us today. Let’s explore some of the surprising practices from this fascinating period in history.
During the Victorian era, there was a huge fascination with ancient Egypt, known as Egyptomania. People were so intrigued by mummies that they believed these ancient remains could cure illnesses. This idea started in Egypt and spread to Europe over time. A substance called “mumia,” made from mummified bodies, was sold in pharmacies and consumed by both rich and poor people. This led to mummy trafficking and even the creation of mummy brown paint.
One of the strangest social events of the time was the mummy unwrapping party. These parties were popular among the wealthy, where guests would gather to unwrap mummies while enjoying food and drinks. This unusual practice was introduced by an English surgeon named Thomas Pettigrew. Eventually, as people learned more about mummies and developed a greater respect for the dead, these parties lost their appeal.
The Victorian era was also a time of scientific exploration, but not all ideas were accurate. An astronomer named Giovanni Schiaparelli made a mistake when he translated the word “canali” (meaning channels) on Mars as “canals.” This error sparked a lot of interest in the idea of communicating with extraterrestrial beings. Some people even tried to create a network of mirrors to send messages to Mars, although this never actually happened.
Women in the Victorian era faced intense pressure to look a certain way. Some women became known as “fasting girls,” claiming they could live without eating. This was often just a way to get attention. Corsets were also very popular, and some women wore them so tightly that it caused serious health problems.
In the medical field, there was a shortage of bodies for study, which led to grave robbing and body snatching. This became so common that families had to guard graves to protect their loved ones from being taken. Another strange trend was post-mortem photography, where deceased individuals were posed as if they were alive, often with their living family members.
The Victorian era was full of peculiar practices and beliefs that might seem shocking today. If you’re curious to learn more about this intriguing time in history, feel free to ask! Thank you for reading, and if you enjoyed this article, consider exploring more about the Victorian era.
Imagine you are a journalist in the Victorian era. Write an article for a newspaper about one of the strange practices mentioned in the article, such as mummy unwrapping parties or post-mortem photography. Include interviews with “witnesses” and “experts” of the time to make your article more engaging.
Divide into groups and hold a debate on the ethics of mummy unwrapping parties. One group will argue in favor of the practice as a cultural and scientific exploration, while the other group will argue against it, focusing on respect for the dead and cultural heritage.
Research the fashion trends of the Victorian era, focusing on corsets and other societal pressures on women. Create a fashion sketch that reflects these trends, and write a short paragraph explaining the health implications and societal expectations of the time.
Investigate one of the scientific ideas from the Victorian era, such as the belief in Martian canals. Create a presentation that explains the idea, why it was believed, and how it was eventually debunked. Include visuals and any relevant scientific advancements that corrected these misconceptions.
Write a diary entry from the perspective of a Victorian-era teenager who has just attended a mummy unwrapping party or witnessed post-mortem photography. Describe your feelings, the atmosphere, and your thoughts on these practices. Reflect on how these experiences might influence your view of the world.
The Victorians were undoubtedly one of the most eccentric groups in human history, embodying a society that was both classy and somewhat unsettling. As they navigated a rapidly changing world, they engaged in many questionable practices. The Victorian era was marked by significant scientific advancements, but some of their experiments were quite bizarre. For instance, the fascination with ancient Egypt led to a phenomenon known as Egyptomania, where mummies became objects of intrigue and even superstition.
During this time, there was a widespread belief that mummies could cure ailments, a notion that began in Egypt and spread to Europe over the centuries. Mumia, a substance derived from mummified bodies, was sold in apothecaries and consumed by both the wealthy and the poor. This high demand led to mummy trafficking and the creation of products like mummy brown paint. Mummy unwrapping parties became a popular social event among the elite, where guests would gather to unwrap mummies while enjoying food and drink. This practice, popularized by English surgeon Thomas Pettigrew, eventually lost its appeal as scientific understanding of mummies improved and respect for the deceased grew.
The Victorian era also saw the emergence of strange scientific endeavors. For example, an astronomer named Giovanni Schiaparelli mistakenly translated the word “canali” (channels) on Mars to mean “canals,” leading to a frenzy of interest in extraterrestrial communication. Some even attempted to establish a network of mirrors to send messages to Mars, although this project never materialized.
In addition to these oddities, the era was marked by extreme societal pressures on women regarding body image. Many women became known as “fasting girls,” claiming they could survive without food, which was often a ruse for attention. Corsets were also a common fashion item, with some women wearing them so tightly that they could cause serious health issues.
The medical field during this time faced a shortage of bodies for study, leading to grave robbing and body snatching. This practice became so prevalent that families often had to guard graves to protect their loved ones from being taken. Additionally, post-mortem photography became a trend, where deceased individuals were posed as if they were alive, often alongside living family members.
If you’re interested in learning more about the peculiarities of the Victorian era, feel free to ask! Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like and subscribe if you enjoyed the video.
Victorian – Relating to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901, known for its distinctive cultural norms and advancements in technology and industry. – The Victorian era was marked by significant industrial progress and strict social codes.
Egyptomania – A fascination with ancient Egyptian culture, especially prevalent in the 19th century following the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. – During the 19th century, Egyptomania swept through Europe, influencing art, architecture, and fashion.
Mummies – Preserved bodies of humans or animals from ancient times, often associated with ancient Egyptian burial practices. – The discovery of mummies in the Valley of the Kings provided valuable insights into ancient Egyptian civilization.
Scientific – Relating to or based on the principles and methods of science, often involving systematic observation and experimentation. – The scientific method is crucial for conducting experiments and validating hypotheses in biology class.
Women – Referring to female individuals, often discussed in historical contexts regarding their roles and rights in society. – The suffrage movement was a pivotal moment in history when women fought for and gained the right to vote.
Fasting – The practice of abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink, often for religious or health reasons. – During Ramadan, many Muslims practice fasting from dawn until sunset as a spiritual discipline.
Corsets – Garments worn to shape and support the torso, commonly used by women in the 19th century to achieve a desired silhouette. – In the Victorian era, corsets were a staple of women’s fashion, often worn to create an hourglass figure.
Medical – Relating to the science or practice of medicine, including the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. – Advances in medical technology have greatly improved the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses.
Grave – A place of burial for a dead body, typically a hole dug in the ground and marked by a stone or monument. – Archaeologists uncovered an ancient grave that contained artifacts from a long-lost civilization.
Photography – The art or practice of taking and processing photographs, which became widely popular in the 19th century. – The invention of photography allowed people to capture and preserve historical moments in unprecedented detail.
