In a revelation that is stirring the archaeological community, a recent study has demonstrated that human brains can survive the test of time far better than previously believed. This finding, led by forensic anthropologist Alexandra Morton-Hayward and her team from the University of Oxford, reveals a surprising resistance of human brains to decomposition, a stark contradiction to earlier assumptions.
A New Knowledge of Brain Preservation
Historically, human brains were considered to decay swiftly after death, making their preservation a rarity. However, Morton-Hayward’s research just published by The Royal Society tells a different story. Her team has uncovered an extensive archive of over 4,400 human brains dating back nearly 12,000 years. These brains, found across diverse environments—from the icy terrains of the North Pole to the dry deserts of Ancient Egypt—challenge the notion that brains are among the first organs to decompose.
The preserved brains showcased a wide array of conditions, with textures varying from brittle and dry to soft and spongy. Interestingly, a significant portion of these brains were discovered in bodies where no other soft tissues survived, presenting a unique phenomenon in the realm of archaeological discoveries.
Researcher Alexandra Morton-Hayward shows the remains of a 200-year-old brain preserved in formalin. (Graham Poulter/Royal Society Publishing)
More Preserved Brains Than One Can Imagine
The sheer volume of preserved brains has opened new avenues for…
