Zoroastrianism involves a mystical burial practice where bodies are left on top of giant flat structures called Towers of Silence so that vultures can strip the bones clean.

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Zoroastrianism involves a mystical burial practice where bodies are left on top of giant flat structures called Towers of Silence so that vultures can strip the bones clean. The ancient religion teaches that dead flesh is spiritually polluting to both earth and fire, so burying or cremating a corpse is considered a massive environmental and mystical hazard. By letting scavenger birds do all the hard work, they managed to create an incredibly eco-friendly waste disposal system thousands of years before modern composting became trendy. It might sound like a terrifying metal album cover to outsiders, but it is actually a highly pragmatic way to ensure you don't spiritually contaminate the neighborhood dirt when you finally kick the bucket