In the early days of medical learning, the only way to "see" the inside of a body was to open it up. There were no xrays, CT scans, 3d replicas or simulators. And of course, there was a far greater demand for bodies than bodies available.
Although the Anatomy Act allowed for the bodies of hanged criminals or the homeless to be used for dissection, there were still not enough bodies to go around. So, digging up bodies became quite a lucrative business.
When we think of Scotland and body snatchers, most think of Burke and Hare. However, Burke and Hare were not grave robbers but rather serial killers. Their bodies were incredibly "fresh" because they never actually made it to the grave.
However, while they were famous, others worked in the depth of night, digging next to the freshly interred bodies, slipped the bodies out of a tunnel beside the grave and made their way to the anatomy dept at the University of Edinburgh (or Glasgow or Aberdeen). This became such a lucrative job that folk were feared for the safety and souls of their loved ones.
Some kirkyards, like St Cuthberts or New Calton in Edinburgh installed watch towers where guards would keep watch at night.
Poorer families would sit vigil at the graveside for three or four days, until the bodies were no longer useful to the anatomists.
What signs have you encountered that are evidence of this dastardly time in Scottish history?
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