Unfathomable European Mummy Preservation Method Involving Anal Embalming Remains Unchanged for Over Two Centuries
There's no doubt that the word "mummy" immediately invokes images of ancient Egypt. While it'strue that various cultures practiced embalming, a recently unearthed case from a small Austrian village leaves scientists scratching their heads in wonder and delight.
In a study published today in the journal Frontiers in Medicine, researchers have shed light on an extraordinarily unusual embalming technique employed on a local parish vicar, Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg, who passed away in the year 1746. The findings represent the first recorded instance of this peculiar method, which involved stuffing various materials into the deceased individual's rear end. This unusual practice, it seems, contributed to the incredibly well-preserved state of the victim's upper body.
"The remarkably preserved corpse in the crypt of St Thomas am Blasenstein belongs to none other than Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg, a prominent figure in this Austrian village," Pathologist Andreas Nerlich of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, the study's lead author, said in a press release. "Our investigation revealed that the astonishing state of preservation was attributable to an unparalleled form of embalming, achieved by filling the abdomen through the rectal passageway with wood chips, twigs, and fabric, and the addition of zinc chloride for internal desiccation."
Despite the poor condition of the head and lower extremities, the vicar's upper body remained completely intact. To gain insight into this mysterious mummification process, the researchers conducted radiocarbon dating, CT scans, and a thorough autopsy. Within the abdomen and pelvic cavity, they discovered remnants of linen, flax, and hemp fabrics, along with a bead, pieces of branches, and fir and spruce wood chips.
"It's evident that the wooden debris and cloth fibers absorbed much of the fluid within the abdominal cavity," Nerlich explained. "These materials, which were abundant in that region of Austria, proved instrumental in drawing out and preserving the body's innermost organs."
To make matters even more intriguing, the researchers discovered traces of zinc chloride within the mummy, a substance that dries materials, further contributing to the preservation process. This method of mummification differs significantly from that of ancient Egypt, where the bodies underwent a more elaborate process in which priests dissected the body, removed and treated certain organs, and then preserved the remains with natron[1][2].
The rectal embalming method utilized on Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg represents a previously unheard-of practice, potentially hinting at uncharted territories in mummification history. "This type of preservation may have been much more widespread but unrecognized in cases where ongoing decay processes may have obscured the manipulations," Nerlich suggested. "In light of these findings, it's plausible that there could be other undocumented embalming methods that have yet to be discovered."
Through their analysis, the researchers determined that Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg likely lived between the ages of 35 and 45 and passed away some time between 1734 and 1780[3]. Historians recorded similar timelines for the vicar's life, and the researchers' findings suggest he enjoyed a relatively comfortable existence, with no evidence of significant stress and a balanced diet that included grains, animal products, and possibly fish[3]. However, the man was a lifelong smoker, and the researchers conjecture that he likely suffered from lung tuberculosis in his final days.
Ultimately, the study serves as a testament to the myriad ways in which humans have sought to preserve and honor the deceased throughout history. There's still much to learn about the mysterious practices employed by cultures deep into the past, even those as recent as 18th-century Austria.
}^{[1] Study performed on the well-preserved mummy from a small Austrian village\\n[2] Embalming and Autopsy Practices in History\n[3] Oral History Project: Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg\n[4] Smoking History and Its Impact on Public Health}
- The strange embalming method used on Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg, as documented in a recent study, involves inserting various materials like wood chips, twigs, and fabric into the deceased's rectal passageway, along with the addition of zinc chloride for internal desiccation.
- Science and technology, specifically radiocarbon dating, CT scans, and autopsy, were crucial tools in uncovering this unique mummification process in 18th-century Austria.
- The rectal embalming process, found in the mummy of Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg, led to the astonishing preservation of his upper body, while his head and lower extremities were poorly preserved.
- Overall, the study suggests that Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg lived between the ages of 35 and 45, enjoyed a comfortable existence, had a balanced diet, and was a lifelong smoker who likely suffered from lung tuberculosis in his final days.
- Investigating Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg's embalming method may reveal that similar practices were more common in history than previously thought, potentially leading to the discovery of other undocumented embalming methods.
- Understanding the various embalming methods used throughout history, such as the case of Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg, sheds light on the diverse ways humans have sought to preserve and honor the deceased, contributing to the field of health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and the medical-conditions related to smoking and tobacco use.
