Some interesting Stories
When you have 139 stories in one place, there are bound to be some interesting stories. I have selected a few stories that I think are among the most interesting and wrote them below. These stories are only a fraction of what can be found in the original exhibit.
Francisca Seycora
Francisca Seycora's placard describes her as a "famous Viennese prostitute". While I cannot speak with any certainty about the validity of her fame in her heyday, her fame now lies in that title itself. This colorful description of Francisca has created a fascination that surrounds her. When people write books and articles about this exhibit, Francisca is almost always included.
The mummified Skulls
Though most of the skulls Hyrtl collected were from Europe, he did have twelve from other continents. Two of those other skulls were from Egypt, and both to them were mummified. One is from the Tomb of the Kings and the other is from Thebes. While it is impossible to know much of anything about the lives of the people these skulls came from, one thing we can say is that these skulls are most likely much, much older than the other 137.
Other Interesting Stories
(Many of these stories do involve suicide, so take that into account as you continue.)
Because of how many of these skulls were obtained, we do not know many stories behind their deaths. However, Hyrtl did explain a few. One was a man who committed suicide because he suspected his mistress was cheating on him. Another took their own life because of "weariness of life." Others have a more colorful, shall we say, description of their deaths. One man was killed for "a crime of grave insubordination", and others died in shootings with the police or in battle.
Because of how many of these skulls were obtained, we do not know many stories behind their deaths. However, Hyrtl did explain a few. One was a man who committed suicide because he suspected his mistress was cheating on him. Another took their own life because of "weariness of life." Others have a more colorful, shall we say, description of their deaths. One man was killed for "a crime of grave insubordination", and others died in shootings with the police or in battle.