Treasure Hunting Research Articles

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln

Reviewed by: The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln Sarah Sahn Lincoln, Beth The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels; illus. by Claire Powell. Dutton, 2023 [352p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780593533239 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593533246 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 4-6 Every ten years, the Swifts gather for a Reunion at their ramshackle ancestral House to search for the treasure hidden somewhere on the grounds by their ancestor, Vile Swift. It’s young Shenanigan’s first reunion, and she’s determined to find Vile’s Hoard—she has the advantage of living in the House, after all, and she’s been mapping it for a year in preparation. Treasure hunting takes a backseat to attempted murder, however, when someone pushes Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude down the stairs during dinner the first night of the Reunion. Murder mystery fans will be thrilled to dig into this clever whodunit, which offers an accessible entry point for newcomers to the genre and has plenty of twists and turns for longtime detectives. A more introspective coming-of-age arc is woven in, as Shenanigan grapples with her relationships with her sisters and her place in the family. “You can’t help your name,” Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude is fond of saying, and while Shenanigan knows she causes her share of, well, shenanigans, she doesn’t like to feel trapped by her moniker as a troublemaker. The themes of naming and self-determination carry through both the mystery plot and the characters’ journeys, especially in nonbinary cousin Erf’s quest to be recognized by their chosen name. An omniscient narrator also supplies definitions, alternative meanings, and wry commentary, inviting the reader to contemplate, along with Shenanigan and the other Swifts, just what’s in a name. Full-page, Edward Gorey-esque black-and-white illustrations punch up the noirish Addams Family atmosphere and break up the text for readers new to longer chapter books. Final art not seen. Copyright © 2022 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

A new phase of treasure hunting in plant genebanks

The United Nations has estimated that the world population will surpass 8 billion on Nov. 15th, 2022, and will continue to rise to 11.2 billion by 2100. Considering that agricultural resources are limited, it will be a huge challenge to produce sufficient food to feed such a rapidly rising global population. Furthermore, the ongoing climate changes, regional instabilities (e.g., the Ukraine War), and pandemic disease (viz COVID-19) are adding more pressures on worldwide crop productions and human health. To cope with these problems, it is both imperative and urgent to develop the crop cultivars with higher yield potential, improved nutritional quality, and better resilience to environmental stresses.

Effectiveness of AR Board Game on Computational Thinking and Programming Skills for Elementary School Students

This study integrated the augmented reality (AR) technology into the “Coding Ocean” board game to provide players with real-time simulation of ship paths and learning scaffolds. Combined with Scratch block-based programming, an interactive learning environment is developed to assist elementary school students in learning coding skills from the unplugged board game to enhance their computational thinking concepts. The AR board game is focused on the programming concepts of sequential, and/or and loop. Through the process of treasure hunting, the basic concepts of computational thinking can be developed, i.e., abstraction, problem decomposition, pattern recognition and algorithmic thinking. In order to investigate the learning effectiveness of the AR board game on computational thinking and programming skills, a number of 51 third graders from an elementary school were recruited as research samples. The experimental group (n = 26) used the AR board game and the control group (n = 25) used the traditional board game for game-based learning. The experimental results indicate: (1) the learning effectiveness of computational thinking for the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group; (2) the learning achievement of the block-based programming skills for the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group; (3) the cognitive load of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group. The AR technology can combine the unplugged board games with plugged learning modules to assist students in game-based learning, which is useful for enhancing computational thinking abilities while reducing the cognitive load.

Cunning Distortions: Folk Christianity and Witchcraft Allegations in Early Mormon History

Cunning Distortions: Folk Christianity and Witchcraft Allegations in Early Mormon History

A step closer to the convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage 2001: China’s latest efforts in regulation

As the lex specialis on Underwater Culture Heritage (UCH) protection in China, the Regulation on Protection and Administration of Underwater Cultural Relics of PRC 1989 (Regulation 1989) was revised again in 2022 (Revision 2022). Comparatively, the Revision 2022 makes obvious amendments to its original version and is closer to the international convention in this field, regarding the essence and contents. This paper outlines the revision history of Regulation 1989 and the highlights of Revision 2022. By refining the rules directing underwater activities, encouraging public participation in UCH protection, restricting commercial salvage and treasure hunting and proposing the regime of UCH protection zones, the Revision 2022 bridges Chinese law and the international convention to a certain extent.

Fundamentals of legal regulation of archaeological research in independent Ukraine

The article reinterprets the process of legal support for archaeological research in independent Ukraine. The formation of the legislative framework for the protection and use of historical and cultural monuments was monitored. The «Regulations on the State Register of National Cultural Property» was considered. Attention is focused on the laws «On the protection of cultural and historical heritage» and «On the protection of archaeological heritage», which were adopted with the aim of improving the legal regulation of the protection and preservation of material remains of the past, and the effectiveness of their use in practice is analyzed. The relationship between the current legislation of Ukraine and the development of archaeological research is indicated. The powers of central executive bodies and other cultural heritage protection bodies, without which the implementation of archaeological research at the legislative level is impossible, are considered. Attention is paid to permits for conducting archaeological explorations, excavations and other earthworks. The importance of the preparation of scientific reports by archaeologists in archaeological activities was noted, and it was indicated that thanks to the detailed regulation of the process of conducting archaeological research and submitting scientific reports, the state of archaeological sources improved. Attention is focused on revealing the activities of the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Department «Field Committee», which monitors the quality of professional excavations on the territory of Ukraine. The rights and responsibilities of archaeological heritage researchers are highlighted, the legal status of the archaeological expedition is considered. The main provisions of the Code of Ethics of a Professional Archaeologist, which was created to determine the basic moral and ethical norms of professional archaeologists' activities and their attitude to archaeological heritage, are reflected. Attention was paid to the activities of research centers: «Rescue Archeology Service» (1994), «Protection Archeology Service of Ukraine» (2001), «Centre of Archeology of Kyiv of the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine» (2006), which allows identifying and saving valuable monuments tombs of different archaeological periods. It is noted that a significant problem in the field of archaeological heritage protection is the coordination of the activities of developers and subjects of economic activity with the bodies of cultural heritage protection. The importance of cooperation of state bodies for the protection of historical and cultural heritage with archaeological institutions was considered, it was noted that this cooperation will allow to develop an effective system of protection of archaeological heritage, to carry out professional certification of monuments of the past, to improve legislative and regulatory acts, which as a result could improve the state of preservation of monuments of archeology and reduce their theft. It is indicated that in 2021, the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine issued «Proposals on improving the legal protection of archaeological heritage...» to speed up the process of Ukraine joining the Council of Europe Convention, which will allow to more effectively fight against illegal construction works, «treasure hunters» and minimize destruction of archaeological monuments. Key words: monument protection legislation, archaeological heritage protection, archaeological research, scientific report, archaeological monuments.

Is it sustainability or fashion? Young educated consumers’ motivations for buying second-hand clothing

Drawing upon the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study explores young educated consumers’ motivations for buying second-hand clothing, including four additional constructs; novelty-seeking, frugality, being environmentally friendly, and treasure hunting in the original model. The additional constructs are derived from the Theory of Basic Values. Data were gathered from 344 participants through the judgmental sampling technique. In addition, hypothesised associations between the variables were tested with structural equation modelling. The study's findings indicated that attitudes towards second-hand clothing, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control are the predictors of intention to buy second-hand clothing. Additionally, intention to buy second-hand clothing and perceived behavioural control predict second-hand clothing buying behaviour. Moreover, the direct effects of novelty-seeking, frugality, being environmentally friendly, and treasure hunting on the intention to buy second-hand clothing and second-hand clothing buying behaviour are significant and positive. However, when the intention to buy second-hand clothing is included in the model as a mediator, the effect of these variables on second-hand clothing buying behaviour is either partially reduced or finished. So, the study's findings reported the mediating role of intention to buy second-hand clothing in the extended model. Also, this study ensures applicable insights to young consumers and practitioners of the fashion industry.

SECOND-HAND CONSUMPTION AS AN EXAMPLE OF SUSTAINABILITY

Çevre, eşitlik ve ekonomi arasındaki denge olarak özetlenebilecek olan sürdürülebilirlik kavramı günümüzde en önemli kavramların başında gelmektedir. Sürdürülebilirlik kavramı, kaynakların sınırlı olduğu söz konusu bu kaynakların kullanım biçimlerinin uzun vadeli önceliklerini ve sonuçlarını göz önünde bulundurarak akıllıca kullanılmasını ifade etmektedir. Özellikle gelecek nesiller için temiz bir dünya, sağlıklı bir çevre bırakmak fikrine odaklanan söz konusu kavram günümüzde hem hükümetler, hem markalar hem de tüketiciler açısından çevreye karşı sosyal sorumluluğu ifade etmektedir. Günümüzde kurumların ve markaların çevreye yönelik duyarlılık gösterdiği uygulamaların artış göstermesi, tüketicilerin konuya yönelik farkındalık oluşturmasını sağlamıştır. Özellikle tüketicilerin ekolojiye duydukları saygı ile birlikte bireysel anlamda bir sorumluluk alarak “çevre dostu” uygulamalara yönelmeleri ve çevre dostu tüketim biçimlerini benimsemeleri de söz konusu olmuştur. Günümüzde dünyada ve ülkemizde ikinci el tüketime duyulan ilgi, ikinci el pazarının da genişlemesine katkıda bulunmuş ve tüketicileri kullanılmış ürünleri yeniden almaya ve satmaya teşvik etmiştir. Günümüzde “sürdürülebilirlik” konusuna verilen önem, gereksiz endüstriyel atıklara açılan savaş, belirli bir dönem üretilen ve artık üretimi olmayan ürünlere ulaşma isteği ikinci el mağazaların sayısını artırmakta, söz konusu durum çevrimiçi ikinci el mağazaların da artışını beraberinde getirmektedir. “Hazine avcılığı”, “pazarlığın heyecan verici atmosferi”, “çevrimiçi açık artırmalar” gibi nedenlerden dolayı da tercih edilen ikinci el tüketim günümüzde sürdürülebilir moda tüketimine giden yollardan da biri olarak kabul edilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, ikinci el tüketim konusunu “sürdürülebilirlik” kavramı izleğinde ele alarak literatüre katkı sunmaktır. Ayrıca bu çalışmanın günümüz pazarlama uzmanlarına da farklı bir perspektif sunarak; ikinci el tüketim temelinde ekonomik, ekolojik ve toplumsal sürdürülebilirlik ile ilgili yeni fikirler vereceği düşünülmektedir.

The hunt for treasures, bargains and individuality in pre-loved luxury

PurposeThis work aims to discuss the motivators for the consumption of pre-loved luxury items and verify how these motivators interact, leading consumers to engage in behaviors that blend the characteristics of different motivators: treasure hunting, bargain hunting and individuality seeking.Design/methodology/approachThis is an exploratory dyadic qualitative research conducted using semi-structured in-depth interviews involving luxury brand store managers and loyal clients for pre-loved luxury products in Monaco.FindingsThroughout the analysis, the authors found three types of behavior that incorporate different parts of motivators that have been considered as specific motivators for pre-loved luxury consumption: bargain hunting, an intersection of recreational and economic motivations, treasure hunting, a blend of nostalgic and recreational motivations, and individuality, a mix of need for uniqueness and fashion involvement motivation.Practical implicationsIdentifying three types of behavior for the pre-loved luxury consumer helps practitioners craft marketing strategies for their brands and products in the pre-loved luxury market.Social implicationsThe authors propose a theoretical framework that identifies intersections between the motivators for pre-loved luxury consumption, potentially identifying new types of consumer behavior in this market.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first work to discuss these three types of behavior in the pre-loved luxury market. The authors propose a theoretical framework that identifies intersections between the motivators for pre-loved luxury consumption, potentially identifying new types of consumer behavior in this market.

MO592: Evolution of Body Composition During a Intradialysis Exercise Program Using Virtual Reality

BACKGROUND AND AIMSThere are few follow-up studies on the composition body by bioimpedance in exercise programs in different population. It is necessary to know if the body composition measured by bioimpedance change during a intradialysis exercise program using virtual reality. The aim is to determine evolution of body composition of patients on intradialysis exercise program using virtual reality.METHODThis is a subanalysis in a clinical trial with intradialysis exercise intervention. Intradialysis exercise consists in a video game adapted to dialysis: Treasure hunting. It is a nonimmersive virtual reality game in which the patient must catch some objectives avoiding obstacles by moving the lower limbs. The exercise lasts from 20 to 40 min. Intensity was checked through the rate of perceived exertion. The body composition is determined by multi-frequency stereoscopic bioimpedance . The study started in September 2019 (Baseline) but due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was paused for 1 year and started again in March 2021 (Restart). Body composition was determined basal, at 3th and 6th month in program. This study is funding from Programa Estatal de I + D + i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad, del Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2017–2020 del Gobierno de España.RESULTSThis is an open recruitment study, 49 patients have been recruited as of September 2021, mean (SD) age 72 (13) years, females 18. About 17 patients dropped out (16 of them don’t return after the pandemic start). To date, 32 patients are in exercise program.Baseline N 303-month N 30Restart N 283-month N 28Normal hydration weigh (kg)67.8 (14.2)68.0 (12.6)72.1 (17.5)72.4 (18.3)Body mass index26.2 (5.4)26.4 (5.2)28.5 (6.1)28.6 (6.4)Overhydration (liters)2.1 (1.2)2.1 (1.4)2.0 (1.4)1.8 (1.6)Lean tissue index11.7 (2.9)11.0 (2.8)10.5 (2.5)10.2 (2.4)Fat tissue index13.3 (6.6)14.2 (6.7)16.8 (7.4)17.3 (7.9)Mean (SD)Paired data analysis showed no difference in normohydrated weight, lean tissue index, or overhydration. The fat tissue index increased significantly (P 0.04) during the pause period in the first year of the pandemic. At the time of this communication, only 12 patients have completed 6 months of the program. We await the evolution of all included patients to report results at 6 months.CONCLUSIONThe evolution of body composition measured by bioimpedance during an intradialysis exercise program by virtual reality did not show relevant changes. Considering our results and those of previous studies, it’s possible that bioimpedance is not a very sensitive test to evaluate an intradialysis exercise program in the short to medium term. Longer and larger studies are needed.

MO596: Intradialysis Exercise at the Beginning Versus end of the Dialysis Session: Effect on the Dialysis Dose

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is controversy over whether intradialysis exercise has an effect on the dialysis dose. Moreover, theoretical models indicate that intradialytic exercise performed at the end of session may have a beneficial effect in postdialysis rebound. Perhaps this effect of exercise at the end of dialysis can improve the dialysis dose. The aim in this study is to determine the effect of intradialysis exercise on dialysis dose, as well as its effect on dialysis dose when performed during the first two or the last two hours of dialysis session. METHOD This study is a randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomized to exercise in the first (Start group) or last two hours (End group) of dialysis session. Intradialysis exercise consists of a video game adapted to dialysis: Treasure hunting. It is a non-immersive virtual-reality game in which the patient must catch some objectives avoiding obstacles by moving the lower limbs. The exercise session lasts from 20 to 40 min. Intensity was checked through the rate of perceived exertion. Dialysis dose was measured through Kt/V single pool (Kt/V sp), urea reduction percentage (URP), KT and dialisance Kt/V (Kt/Vds) in the short period between dialysis, midweek. These was determined in two different weeks, in one week patients were at rest and in the other week patients did intradialysis exercise. The lean tissue mass (LTM) was determined by multi-frequency stereoscopic bioimpedance. This study is funding from Programa Estatal de I + D + i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad, del Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2017–2020 del Gobierno de España. RESULTS This is an open recruitment study, at the time of this communication 29 patients are active, 14 in Start group and 15 in End group. Age mean (SD) 74 (12) years, males 17, Charlson's Index 8.1 (2.24), time on hemodialysys treatment 55.72 (57.67) months, central venous catheter 8, HDFOL 8. A mixed analysis of repeated measures has been developed with each measure of dialysis dose as the dependent variable (Kt/Vsp, URP, KT and Kt/V ds) and independent variables: group (Start versus End), duration of exercise session and LTM. There were no differences in dialysis dose between Start and End groups. Duration of exercise session significantly increased the dialysis dose (Kt/Vsp + 0.015, P = 0.007, URP + 0.23 P = 0.01 and Kt/V ds + 0.015, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION The time of the dialysis session in which physical exercise is performed does not influence the dialysis dose. Longer duration of the intradialysis exercise session increases the dialysis dose.

The Hill Cumorah: Restoring a Sacred Site

The Hill Cumorah: Restoring a Sacred Site

Hidden behind the mask: An authentication study on the Aztec mask of the Museum of Ethnography, Budapest, Hungary

Turquoise covered mosaic objects – especially masks – were attractive components of treasures transported to Europe from Mexico after the fall of the Aztec Empire in the 1500s. According to our present knowledge, the mosaic masks were manufactured for ritual purpose. The main material of mosaics, the turquoise was a high-prestige semi-precious stone among Mexican native people. During the 20th century, such objects derived both from illegal treasure hunting and documented archaeological excavations. The aim of our research was the authentication of a turquoise covered Aztec wooden mask, which presumably originates from the Tehuacán Valley, Mexico and exchanged by the Museum of Ethnography, Budapest, in 1973. The detailed and complex analytical investigation of the mask is a curiosity. To reveal the origin of the object, UV photographs were taken, the wooden base was subjected to biological studies and C-14 dating, the organic glue fixing the tesserae and the inorganic mosaic tesserae were investigated by non-destructive chemical, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopic methods. Our investigations determined that the mask of the Museum of Ethnography was made of an alder species of tree and its age is AD 1492–1653. The light-coloured covering mosaic lamellae were identified as alabaster and claystone. Comparing the turquoise tesserae cover with reference materials, their chemical composition has been clearly differentiated from most of the well-known turquoise sources of the US Southwest. Based on our results, the Aztec mask of the Museum of Ethnography proved to be an original piece of art from the 15th-17th century.

Dva dosud nepublikované nálezy denárů Boleslava III.

Two rare Boleslaus III cross / chapel deniers of the Cach 189 and Cach 200 types have been found recently by treasure hunters using metal detectors. The issue of the cross / chapel denier types, to which both described coins belong, is dated to the period of the first reign of Boleslaus III, i.e., to the years 999–1002. For a more precise determination of the period during which the deniers of the cross / chapel type were struck, it is crucial to note that these were not present in any Czech or foreign hoards buried at the end of the 990s. Considering this, the oldest find containing the cross / chapel type deniers is probably the hoard from Kalisz X, Central Poland, which was buried after the year 999. The specimen found in Hlušice (Kolín District) differs from all previously known specimens of the cross / chapel denier of the Cach 189 type. Both dies of the Cach 200 type, found in the vicinity of Chot'ovice, correspond with the deniers of the same type from the Chrášťany hoard, found in 1896.

«КЛАДОИСКАТЕЛЬСТВО»В БАШКИРИИ: РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ АНАЛИЗА ИНТЕРНЕТ-СООБЩЕСТВ

In the last decade in Russia, the activities of looters of archaeologıcal sıtes have become more and more widespread. Every year, from early spring to late autumn, looters equipped with powerful metal detectors and other devices search for new artifacts damaging the cultural layer of archaeological monuments. Recently, due to the lack of written sources about the stages in the history of their development, some regions of the country have faced the problem that later developed into a key one. One of these regions is the Republic of Bashkortostan. The author's analysis of various sources revealed that the system of protection and preservation of archaeological sites in Russia is ineffective in countering looters, and is mainly aimed at combating negligent housing developers. In a wide information space, there are no analytical materials and scientific works that objectively reflect such illegal activities. In most works, only the damage done by the “treasure hunters” is stated. According to the author, one of the most accessible sources for researching the activities and subculture of looters are online communities in social networks. The study identified three groups of “black diggers” in the social network “VKontakte”. Using various software programs and scientific methods, subscribers and content were examined. Based on the results, the author concludes that the activities of looters are actively encouraged in social networks. In such groups, there are discussions on the findings obtained as a result of the illegal search for a “treasure”, effective methods and ways of avoiding responsibility, as well group coordination and arrangement of conventions.

Penerapan Metode Multi Games Dalam Pembelajaran Mufrodat Di LKP Ibnu Khaldun Driyorejo Gresik

This article is the result of a study that describes the stages in the application of the multigames method in Arabic mufradat learning by adding vocabulary intensely to each meeting. LKP Ibnu Khaldun is an Arabic language development institution by applying the multigames method which refers to an independent guidebook entitled "The Smart Book of Memorization of Arabic-English Vocabulary for Children" which contains mufradat themes and alternative language games along with the steps. This type of research is a field research with a qualitative approach. Methods of data collection by observation, interviews and documentation with data analysis techniques using descriptive qualitative. Based on the results of the study, there were several themes taught by the tutor in six meetings, including riyadhah (sports) by applying the traditional game of gobak sodor, naqlun (transportation) with the traditional engkle game, al-ma'kulat (food) with a crossword puzzle (TTS) game. Crossword puzzles), alwanun (colors) with treasure hunting games, al-hayawanat (animals) with word-matching games and their meanings, fi al-sama' (objects in the sky) with traditional games of dolip. All students feel excited and always look forward to every game in one meeting, especially if there is a reward from the tutor.

THE FIND OF ANCIENT COINS IN THE TIASMYN RIVER BASIN FROM THE SIXTH TO THE FIRST CENTURY BC

THE FIND OF ANCIENT COINS IN THE TIASMYN RIVER BASIN FROM THE SIXTH TO THE FIRST CENTURY BC

Decapitation and Dynamite: The Mutilated Mountainside Monument of Gaius Julius Aquila on the Coast of Bithynia et Pontus

The Roman monument locally known as Kuşkayası Yol Anıtı (literally bird rock road monument) in Turkish is an arresting site carved in relief on a mountainside. Its decapitated figures have hewn limbs, and dynamite has blasted out large chunks of the monument. Though scholars have tangentially touched upon Kuşkayası, there is little analysis of its visual symbolism and the mutilated human figure’s identity and destruction have been mysteries. This paper will analyse the monument and explicate its noteworthy blend of Roman Imperial and local iconography, a syncretistic design which participates in the Romanization of Bithynia et Pontus and legitimizes the monument’s builder Gaius Julius Aquila. Next, this paper will argue that the mysterious beheaded figure likely represents Aquila rather than Emperor Claudius. Finally, this paper will forward that Kuşkayası was the victim of Christian mutilation in Late Antiquity during its initial phase of destruction, and treasure hunters in its most recent phase. Kuşkayası represents an innovative symbolic composition and speaks both to the syncretistic public art tradition and the history of the destruction of antiquities on the Black Sea coast.

The Need for Academic Integrity in Mass Media: A Perspective from Nautical Archaeology in The Bahamas

The Bahamas has a rich history with nautical archaeology, even if the academic discipline of nautical archaeology is largely unfamiliar to Bahamians. Season 2 of Cooper’s Treasure, a documentary television series released and distributed by Discovery Channel, follows Darrell Miklos and his crew around The Bahamas searching for shipwrecks. Unfortunately, treasure hunting is still a common problem in The Bahamas; piracy is not relegated to the past. Illegal looting and damage constitute a serious threat to the country’s underwater cultural heritage. Accordingly, this study contributes to this discussion by conducting a critical analysis of two television docu-series, Treasure Quest and Cooper’s Treasure and media discussions surrounding nautical archaeology and treasure hunting in The Bahamas. The study finds that media discussions in The Bahamas incorrectly interpret treasure hunting to be part of nautical archaeology. Furthermore, there is a widespread feeling in The Bahamas that treasure hunting is necessary.

Czyje góry: Boga czy Śmierci? O dwóch romantycznych modelach interpretacji krajobrazu

In the article the author seeks to answer the question — suggested by Romantic accounts — about whether the most colourful feature of mountain landscape is its religious nature or whether its most evident characteristics are those that turn it into a land of death. Drawing on biblical arguments, Romantic culture assigned to the mountains attributes of sacred a space inspiring strong religious experiences verging on mystical experiences (Ludwik Zejszner). Thus in the Romantic way of thinking the mountains became witnesses to the creation of the world (Antoni Czajkowski), while the natural landscape began to be viewed as hypostasis of divinity. That is why a homage paid to nature became a religious experience and a tribute to the greatness of God. Hierophanies turning the mountains into a sacred space generated strong religious responses in Romantic subjects; they encouraged prayer and prayerful ritualisation of behaviour. A Romantic wanderer felt a sense of unity with God both on top of a mountain and by the Morskie Oko lake. However, the mountains were also presented many times as a space of death, a fact stemming from the terror of their landscape. Romantic tourists were made aware of this omnipresence of death in the mountains by crosses placed in the mountains as well as graves scattered across them. Victims of the mountains included highlanders, tourists, treasure hunters and poachers. That is why in some literary visions various places in the mountains appeared as a big graveyard (“Czarny Staw as the capital of death”, Łucja Rautenstrauchowa). In the article the author points to various causes of death and characteristic ways of dying in the mountains.