The
tradition that Adam’s skull was found at the foot of the cross
gave rise to the frequent representation of a skull in Christian
art. Instances are given by Mr. Jameson, Hist. of our
Lord, i. 22. Jeremy Taylor, (Life of our Lord, Part
iii. § xv.) quotes Nonnus (In Joann. xix.
17):
Εἰσόκε
χῶρον ἵκανε
φατιζομένοιο
κρανίου
Αδὰμ
πρωτογόνοιο
φερώνυμον
ἄντυγι
κόρσης.
cf. Origen, In Matt.
Tract. 35, and Athan, De Pass. et Cruc. Jerome speaks
of the tradition in reference to its association with the words
“As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive,”
as “smooth to the ear, but not true.” One version of
the tale was that Noah took Adam’s bones with him in the ark;
that on Ararat they were divided, and the head fell to Seth’s
share. This he buried at Golgotha. cf. Fabricius i.
61.