[Theme music: Hope & Inspire from Purple Planet]
[00:12] 5a: Stories from Sallam.
[00:16] During my visit to Sallam Hole, Praadu, I got to stand outside the door of a mysterious chamber containing the remains of twelve bodies. Known as the Sallam Hole Twelve, the Sallam Dozen, or variations on that theme, these twelve individuals have fascinated people across the world ever since their discovery a hundred years ago.
[00:35] Let’s start with the theory experts granted access to the chamber have come up with. They posit that the bodies were members of an ancient civilization known as the Fremki, whom we know very little about, but who we do know lived in this region of Praadu thousands of years ago – and they’re most likely responsible for the buildings in the newly-discovered lower biome. It’s believed that up to four of the people interred here may be blood relatives, but not consecutive generations of the family. Beyond that, we can only speculate that, based on the lavish decoration of their shared tomb, they must have been important to society in some way. Having lived and died decades or even centuries apart, something presumably links them to justify their being buried together – but nobody has yet been able to reach a decisive conclusion about what that link could be.
[01:23] Those of us who haven’t been allowed in, however, are no less curious, and this is evident in the various conspiracy theories floating around. One of these is that the Sallam Dozen are in fact members of a human-like species from another world. The theory seems to run that these visitors from beyond the stars must have landed here, perhaps as part of an invasion force, and then been forced to retreat for reasons unknown. Before leaving, proponents of this theory argue, they must have buried their dead in this intricate tomb rather than carry them away in their vessel. I’m not sure how well this theory meshes with the archaeological evidence that suggests a long period between individual deaths – but then I also don’t entirely understand how they’ve worked that out anyway, so perhaps I shouldn’t pick holes.
[02:09] There are, somewhat predictably, plenty of people who think the government are covering something up here. There’s no common consensus on what they’re supposed to be covering up, though, or even which government might be responsible for it. The obvious choice would be Praadu’s, of course, since we’re here, but I also came across one particularly vocal conspiracy theorist who was absolutely adamant that the so-called ‘bodies’ are actually a sleeper cell working for the rulers of the Fosnon Empire. Far be it from me to doubt anyone’s pet theory – we really don’t have much information to go on – but I’m not sure I’d have the dedication to wait 200 years after the fall of an empire before enacting whatever plan they might have had in mind for me. If these are Fosnon sleeper agents, I think it’s safe to assume that they’re going to keep sleeping.
[02:56] There’s also been some speculation that the bodies may have been left here by a murderous cult. In fact, one of the most popular horror films of last summer was Sallam 12, an abstract interpretation of how such terrible events might have unfolded. You’ll remember that the critical reception to Sallam 12, especially from the academic community, was not overwhelmingly positive. In fact, it was largely dismissed as ‘dangerous and irresponsible speculation’ (The Praadu Observer) with ‘poor attention to detail and no regard for historical accuracy’ (Praadu Weekly). Sallam 13, which was recently greenlit, is unlikely to fare better, but it may well enjoy the same box-office success as its predecessor. However, absolutely nobody I spoke to in Praadu thought that there had ever been any such cult in the area – nobody’s heard of such a thing, not even rumours or stories used to scare children. It’s definitely not something you need to worry about if you visit.
[03:53] Of course, there’s one more theory that springs up whenever there’s a room full of something most people can’t access. As one local waiter pointed out, “none of us have ever seen the bodies. How do you even know they’re there?”
[04:06] Speaking of things that are there, I’ve been in contact with Professor Verd since my visit to the caves, and she’s just given me the details of a colleague with, apparently, some interesting news to share. What’s new in the lower biome? I think I’d better find out. Hopefully, it’ll be something I can pass onto our Patrons next time. Until then, safe travels!
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[04:30] This is a tangent that didn’t quite belong in the main episode, but I thought you might like it. I send home these little facts quite often, and you can get access to all of them by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/wanderingpodcast. In fact, Patrons got this clip a week ago, and there’s a new one waiting for them now – so it’s a great time to sign up. Thanks!
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Wandering Mind 