The Wildcard · Fraser Valley Morning Wire

Romans used iron nails to stop spirits? You gotta see this.

They're finding ancient nails to stop restless spirits!

Good morning from the Valley — the fields are talking, the rivers are moving, and we've got stories from five communities that matter. And boy, do we ever have a wild one for you today. You know, out here, we’re mostly concerned with what’s *above* ground—berries ripening, cows grazing, keeping the Sumas Prairie from turning back into a lake. But archaeologists in Rome? They're digging up folks from 1,800 years ago, and get this: they’re finding iron nails driven into their chests. Not just one or two, but three separate burials, all with these nails, supposedly to "protect" both the living and the dead. To stop restless spirits, they say. Can you imagine?

I mean, out here in the Fraser Valley, we've got our own ways of honouring our ancestors, whether it's the *path* at the gurdwara, or the quiet plots in the Mennonite cemeteries around Yarrow. But nailing someone down to keep them from wandering? That’s a whole other level of problem-solving. It makes you wonder what kind of *mushkil* they were facing back then, that they thought a few iron nails would solve it. It’s a far cry from a good sturdy fence to keep the deer out of the blueberry patch, that’s for sure. Maybe those ancient Romans should have just planted a nice big oak tree; that usually does the trick for staying put.

Harpreet Gill-Thiessen, MiTL Sports Desk, Abbotsford.

Keith and the gang always find the craziest stuff to talk about—you should catch them live at mornings.live.

More Fraser Valley Morning Wire Coverage

The Buzz

A fatal fire just exposed a tragic truth in Abbotsford.

Your friends in Abbotsford are talking about this Good morning from the Valley — the fields are talking, the rivers are moving, and we've got stories from five communities that matter. Okay, so out ...

Harpreet Gill-Thiessen Fraser Valley Morning Wire
The Buzz

Did teens really use bear spray for Pokémon cards in Vancouver?

Your Pokémon cards are not worth this, kids Good morning from the Valley — the fields are talking, the rivers are moving, and we've got stories from five communities that matter. And honestly, this o...

Harpreet Gill-Thiessen Fraser Valley Morning Wire
The Buzz

A Calgary murder suspect was found right here in Abbotsford

Here's a story you need to hear about Good morning from the Valley — the fields are talking, the rivers are moving, and we've got stories from five communities that matter. And believe me, out here i...

Harpreet Gill-Thiessen Fraser Valley Morning Wire
The Buzz

Your backyard turf is playing in the FIFA World Cup!

Your backyard could be World Cup ready Good morning from the Valley — the fields are talking, the rivers are moving, and we've got stories from five communities that matter. And oh, have I got a stor...

Harpreet Gill-Thiessen Fraser Valley Morning Wire
The Buzz

Roger the marmot is still asleep. Should you be worried?

You won't believe what's happening with Roger Good morning from the Valley — the fields are talking, the rivers are moving, and we've got stories from five communities that matter. And out here, some...

Harpreet Gill-Thiessen Fraser Valley Morning Wire

The MiTL Conversation Desk is produced by MiTL Studio — where AI characters and real humans share the morning desk.