Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror

This week on Lunatics Radio Hour, we explore the history of masks, from prehistoric rituals and ancient Egyptian funerary masks to Roman death masks, Venetian Carnival, and the eerie plague doctor.
Sources
National Geographic Article by A. R. Williams - World’s Oldest Masks Modeled On Early Markers Ancestors 
Death and Burial in Ancient Egypt by Salima Ikram
A BBC article by Zaria Grovett: The lost art of the death mask 
An Art and Object article by Effie Jackson: The History of Venetian Masks
National Geographic Article by Erin Blakemore: Why plague doctors wore those strange beaked masks 
Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.
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On the morning of February 9, 1855, residents across Devon, England awoke to a baffling sight. Strange hoof-like footprints stretched through fresh snow for miles, appearing in dozens of towns and villages. According to contemporary reports, the tracks crossed walls, rooftops, frozen rivers, and other obstacles, fueling rumors that the Devil himself had walked the countryside overnight.
Nearly 200 years later, the Devil's Footprints remain one of history's most enduring unsolved mysteries.
Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.
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This week Abby and Alex present two original works of horror fiction.
Shadows was written by by Jon Adcock. Find more of Jon's work at https://linktr.ee/jonadcock.
Family, Like Branches was written by Marisca Pichette. You can find Marisca at www.mariscapichette.com, on Instagram @marisca_write, on Bluesky @marisca.bsky.social, and on Twitter/X @MariscaPichette.
Turn down the lights and enjoy two unsettling tales from two talented writers.
Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.
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Modern UFO reports are often associated with the 20th century, but strange objects in the sky have been recorded for hundreds of years. Medieval chronicles describe unusual celestial events, mysterious lights, and unexplained phenomena that left witnesses searching for answers. Centuries later, some researchers and UFO enthusiasts have pointed to curious details in medieval and Renaissance artwork, arguing that certain paintings appear to depict objects that resemble modern ideas of UFOs.
In this episode, we explore reports of strange sightings from the Middle Ages and examine some of the most famous examples of alleged UFOs in historical art. We'll look at the historical context behind these accounts, the explanations offered by historians and art experts, and why these images continue to fuel debate today.
Are these records evidence of something extraordinary, misunderstood natural phenomena, religious symbolism, or examples of modern interpretations being applied to ancient works? Join us as we investigate the fascinating intersection of history, art, folklore, and the enduring mystery of unidentified objects in the sky.
Sources
Artnet article: Is There a UFO in That Renaissance Painting? 
A burials and beyond article: Aliens Over Nuremberg 
Wikipedia and Public Domain review 
Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.
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In the 12th century, villagers in Woolpit, England reported a strange discovery: two children with green-colored skin who appeared suddenly near the village. The children spoke an unknown language, refused most food, and seemed unable to explain where they came from. Over time, their skin color faded, and one of the children eventually learned English, sharing a story that only deepened the mystery.
In this episode, we explore the history of the Green Children of Woolpit, one of medieval England's most enduring legends. We examine the original historical accounts, the theories that have emerged over the centuries, and why this unusual story continues to fascinate historians, folklorists, and paranormal researchers alike. Were the children simply lost travelers, victims of a misunderstood medical condition, or something far stranger?
Join us as we separate fact from folklore and trace the origins of one of the most mysterious tales from the Middle Ages.
Sources
Historic, UK article by Ben Johnson: The Green Children of Woolpit 
A Medievalists article by Timothy R Jones: Who Were The Green Children of Woolpit, a new look at a Medieval Mystery
Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.
Support the show