The Forgotten Archive

Episode 6 - Blood Quran

The drive to create something unique and enduring lies behind many of humankind's most significant achievements. Yet, what happens when this desire leads to the creation of something grisly and blasphemous? In this episode, we dive into the history and known details of one of the most unique and unsettling artifacts in the world of book history: the "Blood Quran," a copy of the Quran reported to be written in Saddam Hussein's blood.

Episode 5 - Lost Libraries

Libraries are some of a humankind's most valuable cultural records. Through the holdings of these archives, the collected knowledge of entire civilizations are preserved and made available for future generations. But, despite their value, these holdings are made of fragile materials, and disaster does not discriminate. In this episode, we discuss the tragedy of libraries that have been threatened, damaged, or lost altogether.

Episode 4 - Giant Sized Books

Books themselves were created as a compact alternative to larger forms of writing, such as scrolls and tablets. However, not all creators have this purpose in mind when they make their books. In this episode, we examine the infamous Codex Gigas and the World's Largest Bible - books that are, in their stories and their physical size, "larger than life." To a video of on the creation of the Waynai Bible, check out the link below: https://blogs.acu.edu/specialcollections/rare-books/waynai-bible/

Episode 3 - Magic Words

We have all heard of magic words. From the incantations found in Harry Potter to the runes of Northern Europe, these magical utterances have seeped into our popular consciousness. However, the belief that words hold magical powers has its roots in real life cultural beliefs. In this episode, we will dive into the history of these magic words with a discussion of runic magic and an exploration of people across the globe that choose to ingest, rather than read, their sacred scriptures.

Episode 2 - Books of Skin: Anthropodermic Bibliopegy, Pt. 2

In the second half of this two-part exploration of anthropodermic bibliopegy - the binding of books in human skin - we discuss genuine skin-bound books from both the nineteenth and twentieth century. Listen to discover out who created these books, and why they undertook such a grisly act.