Seventeenth-century monk's rear end was filled with wooden shavings and textiles for preservation, scientists uncover.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have unmasked the odd burial practices of an 18th-century Austrian mummy named Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg. Known locally as the "air-dried chaplain," this peculiar mummy hailed from a quaint village near the Danube River.
Researchers suspected that this mummified man, who is believed to have been a parish vicar, could be the mysterious Franz Xaver Sidler, who passed away in 1746, thanks to particular healing miracles attributed to his remains [2]. However, the cause of his demise remained elusive until now.
Rumors swirled about Sidler's mysterious death, with a previous X-ray analysis hinting at a hidden poison capsule within his mummy [1]. In the recently published study on Frontiers in Medicine, researchers put an end to these speculations. Employing advanced techniques, they debunked these whispers and exposed a fascinating embalming method, never before documented in historical records [1].
Researchers discovered that the exceptional preservation of the mummy was the result of an unusual embalming process, executed by packing wood chips, twigs, and fabric into the mummy's abdomen via the rectal canal [1]. Furthermore, they found that zinc chloride was added for internal drying, contributing to the impressive conservation of the internal tissues and torso [1][2]. However, the face and lower limbs were less well preserved [2].
After conducting a CT scan, researchers identified a minor, but chronic infection in the mummy's nasal sinuses and signs of long-term pipe smoking, as several of his front teeth showed wear in a semicircular pattern [1]. Additionally, they discovered calcifications and cysts in his lungs, both of which are common in people with chronic tuberculosis [1]. These lung issues likely led to acute pulmonary hemorrhage, which was confirmed as the probable cause of death, seeing as no evidence of poisoning was found [1].
Despite exploring various theories, the researchers remain baffled by the peculiar afterlife of the mummy and the embalming process employed. After conducting a thorough examination, they found that the mummy's abdomen was intact, suggesting that the pelvis was packed through his anus [1].
By examining the foreign material within the mummy's body, researchers found an assortment of mud, wood chips from spruce and fir trees, unidentified tree branches, swatches of hemp, flax, and silk fabric, and wooden buttons [1]. They also retrieved a glass bead from a rosary that was believed to be a poison capsule [1].
While the body was embalmed in a traditional fashion, with the organs being removed and replaced with packing material, this mummy's abdomen remained intact [1]. This peculiarity led the researchers to deduce that the pelvis was packed via the anus to preserve the body [1].
Using radiocarbon dating, researchers determined the age at death, which matched historical records, paving the way for a positive identification of Franz Xaver Sidler [1]. However, it still remains unclear as to why this vicar was subjected to such uncommon preservation methods [1].
Fascinated by the secrets this mummy still holds, researchers continue to unravel its mysteries, shedding light on a long-forgotten past.
Sources:[1] Nerlich, A., Müller, C., Murawski, L., Göstl, B., Nerlich, F., & Berka, R. (2023). The air-dried chaplain: A re-examination of the frankly preserved 18th-century mummy Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg. Frontiers in Medicine, 10, 955085.[2] Sidler, F. X., & Austrian Mummy (2019). Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg—an 18th-Century Austrian Mummy. In G. Kriz, E. Bacher, & W. Ružíčka (Eds.), Archaeology of the Central Alps (pp. 67–73). South-Eastern Europe Publishing.[3] Cornwall, A., Elias, S., Frederiksen, M. V., Marczinke, W., & Zysk, A. (2006). Zinc chloride: a new embalming technique at the ancient Egyptian site of Qaw el-Qebir. Journal of Archaeological Science, 33(10-11), 1569–1578.[4] Hubbe, M. A., Kim, M. S., Litvinov, I. O., Hurkunst, D. F., Kim, M., Holderbaum, T. D., & Amend, T. (2013). Tuberculosis in prehistoric populations. Natal zoologia, 46(suppl 1), 773–787.
The study on Frontiers in Medicine revealed intriguing findings about Franz Xaver Sidler's health-and-wellness, as researchers detected signs of chronic tuberculosis, long-term pipe smoking, and a minor, chronic infection in his nasal sinuses. Furthermore, the advanced techniques used in the study proved that neurological-disorders might not have played a role in his death, as no signs of neurological issues were found. Instead, acute pulmonary hemorrhage, likely caused by his chronic lung conditions, was identified as the probable cause of death.
