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The collection is open for research use.

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Plaque

The Greeks believed that the first cairn was made when the goddess Hera, frustrated with Zeus’ infidelities, buried his son Hermes under a pile of rocks in a jealous rage. Passersby would offer a stone or two to the pile with the hope that Hermes would protect them and hasten their journey.

It seems strange that one would add to the weight of this pile as a way to seek favor, but I suppose a cairn is also a way to say, “I exist, I am here, remember me.”