Tower of Silence

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/tower-of-silence

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the structure type?Circular, raised stone edifice for excarnation
2. What is the religious affiliation?Zoroastrianism
3. Why do Zoroastrians use a Tower of Silence instead of burying or cremating?Because touching earth or fire can pollute sacred elements. The tower lets bodies be exposed to sun, wind, and birds instead.
4. How do birds help in the Tower of Silence?Vultures eat the soft parts of the body quickly, speeding up decomposition and leaving only bones that can be weathered safely.

Dakhma: The Persian term for a Tower of Silence, a circular, raised structure used for Zoroastrian funerary rites.
Excarnation: The practice of exposing a dead body to the elements, particularly to birds of prey, for decomposition.
Carrion Birds: Birds that feed on the carcasses of dead animals, such as vultures, playing a vital role in the dakhma's function.
Zoroastrianism: An ancient monotheistic religion emphasizing purity, good deeds, and reverence for natural elements.