Health Hazards in the Trade of Mummified Remains
Mummified human and animal remains have long been sought after by collectors, but a recent study published in the International Journal of Cultural Property warns that these artifacts may carry more than historical value. The research, conducted by a team including Kirsty Squires of the University of Staffordshire, suggests that mummified remains sold online could pose health risks due to toxic preservation substances and microbial growth.
According to the study, the mummification process has historically relied on toxic materials such as arsenic, mercury, and lead. Additionally, various microorganisms—including bacteria, fungi, and yeasts—can lie dormant in tissues for centuries, potentially reactivating if the remains are stored improperly.
Historical Cases Highlight Risks
The paper cites several historical instances where exposure to mummified remains led to illness. A 1962 case revealed poisonous fungi spores in mummified remains that could cause respiratory inflammation, infection, and fever. A 2013 study found that mummies at the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo, Italy, are prone to microbial and fungal growth. In 2012, scientists identified Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys fungi on remains and in the crypts of a church in Krakow, Poland.
One of the most striking examples comes from the 1970s, when 10 of 12 scientists died after opening the tomb of Polish king Casimir IV, reportedly due to exposure to Aspergillus fungus. The story of King Tutankhamun's tomb has also been linked to a "mummy's curse," though Ars Technica reports that Lord Carnarvon's death was attributed to a streptococcal infection from a mosquito bite, according to a 1994 Lancet report. Only 8 of the 58 people present at the tomb's opening died within 12 years.
Study of Online Listings
The researchers examined 128 public listings from Facebook, Instagram, brick-and-mortar store websites, a Dutch e-commerce platform, and online auction sites. They found that most items were human body parts—hands, feet, heads, and shrunken heads—with only one complete body. Six animal remains were also listed. Visible fungal growth was observed in 13 of the Facebook posts, showing yellow, white, or black spots and patinas.
The researchers noted that fungal growth may not be visible to the naked eye, meaning the problem could be more widespread than the 13 cases suggest.
Experts Call for Clearer Guidelines
Kirsty Squires, co-author of the study, told Ars Technica that "the rise of the Internet, especially social media, has amplified international trafficking and driven demand for unique cultural heritage, including mummified humans and animals." She added that these remains pose health and biosecurity risks, yet sellers provide little safety guidance. She called for clearer guidelines for shipping policies.
Sellers appeared aware of legal issues, often specifying restricted locations and avoiding declaring the contents of shipments, but they rarely provided provenance or safety information.