How the grisly trade in mummified body parts has created a modern 'mummy’s curse'
A gruesome trade in mummified human body parts, including heads, is putting collectors and even postal workers at risk, new research suggests. People who handle remains could be exposed to hazardous chemicals used as preservatives and to microorganisms that thrive in decaying material, according to the study. The buying and selling of body parts, often through social media sites, has been…
A recent study has revealed that the trade in mummified human body parts, including heads, is posing significant health risks to collectors, postal workers, and anyone else who comes into contact with these remains. The research, published in the International Journal of Cultural Property, highlights the dangers posed by handling or storing human body parts, which can contain hazardous chemicals used as preservatives and microorganisms that thrive in decaying material.
The study, titled "The real mummy's curse: Health risks associated with the sale and trade of mummified remains," explores the ethical concerns surrounding the trade, which is often carried out through social media platforms. Researchers found that mummified remains are frequently stored openly, putting people nearby at risk of exposure to fungal spores, yeast, and bacteria.
These spores can lead to respiratory infections, inflammation, and fever, and have even been linked to severe forms of aspergillosis, which may have contributed to the deaths of some individuals who opened ancient Egyptian tombs in the past. The researchers emphasize the urgent need for regulation and restrictions on the sale and trade of mummified remains, as well as proper storage and handling procedures to protect public health.
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