Pete Ofathousandflights

The Zoroastrians in Persia exposed their dead to be consumed by vultures in “towers of silence”. This practice continued until a few decades ago, and these hilltop towers may be seen yet. Outside Yazd there are two, popular destinations with bus tours.

I took this shot from one of the buildings at the foot of the hill, where the relatives waited for the news. “Blessed tidings! The vulture took your aunt’s right eye first! She is going to Heaven!”

Grim and macabre, maybe, but the fact that these are full of tourists - and giggling Iranian schoolgirls - says a lot about us.