In a remarkable discovery that sheds new light on historical embalming practices, an international team of researchers has unveiled the secrets behind a uniquely preserved 18th-century mummy found in the church crypt of St. Thomas am Blasenstein in Austria. Unlike conventional embalming techniques that typically involve opening and treating the body’s cavities, this unusual method involved a form of internal drying achieved through an unconventional combination of natural materials and chemical agents inserted via the rectal canal. This research not only unlocks a previously undocumented method of mummification but also offers profound insights into the life and health of the individual, a local parish vicar named Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg who passed away in 1746.
The mummy in question has long fascinated both the local community and scholars due to its exceptional state of preservation, especially notable in the torso region. Advanced imaging techniques, including high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans, revealed that while the head and lower extremities were relatively deteriorated, the upper body exhibited extraordinary preservation. This phenomenon prompted a thorough multi-disciplinary investigation combining pathology, toxicology, radiocarbon dating, and stable isotope analysis to understand the preservation mechanism and authenticate the identity of the mummy.
Central to this preservation was an unconventional embalming technique that defies the better-known European methods of the early modern period. Researchers found that the abdominal cavity was packed with a mixture of wood chips, twigs, and various fabrics such as linen, hemp, and flax. These materials were inserted not through traditional incisions but per rectum, serving as absorbents to wick away internal moisture that would otherwise promote decay. The choice of local woods like fir and spruce likely contributed additional natural antimicrobial properties, while the dry fabrics added further moisture absorption capacity. This internal stuffing is believed to have significantly slowed post-mortem putrefaction.
Complementing this physical drying process, chemical analysis uncovered traces of zinc chloride within the mummy’s abdominal region. Zinc chloride is known for its powerful desiccant properties and bactericidal effects, suggesting that it was intentionally applied as a chemical preservative. The synergistic effect of the absorbent natural materials combined with chemical drying agents resulted in an embalming method quite distinct from traditional European techniques that typically involved evisceration and treatment with resins or salts. This novel approach offers new perspectives on regional embalming practices that may have been overlooked in historical records.
Intriguingly, the researchers also found an enigmatic small glass bead with perforations at both ends embedded inside the mummy. This artifact is thought to be a monastic object, potentially related to religious rituals or the embalming process itself, although its singular presence suggests it may have been inadvertently lost during preparation. Such an item points to intertwining spiritual or cultural elements with post-mortem body treatment practices, further enriching the narrative of this mummy’s afterlife.
The scientific team’s meticulous study extended beyond preservation techniques to reconstruct aspects of the individual’s life leading up to death. Radiocarbon dating established a time frame consistent with historical records for Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg, dating his death between 1734 and 1780. Isotopic analysis of stable elements in the tissues provided clues on dietary habits, indicating a high-quality diet rich in central European grains, animal protein, and possibly freshwater fish. This pattern aligns with the social status and lifestyle of a parish priest in 18th-century Austria.
Moreover, analysis of the skeletal remains revealed no significant signs of strenuous physical labor, which matches the expected lifestyle of a clergyman. However, pathological evidence showed that Sidler likely suffered from lung tuberculosis toward the end of his life, alongside signs indicating a long-term habit of smoking. These findings not only humanize the individual but also contribute valuable epidemiological data about health and disease in historical populations.
The combination of biological data, historical context, and chemical evidence allowed the team to corroborate the identity traditionally attributed to the mummy, grounding long-standing local folklore in scientific fact. Such interdisciplinary research demonstrates the power of modern investigative tools to revisit and refine our understanding of past individuals and cultural practices.
This study also raises broader questions about the prevalence and recognition of such embalming techniques historically. The rectal insertion method, combined with the use of wood chips and zinc chloride, may have been more common than previously documented. However, in many cases, decomposition and damage to body tissues over time might have obscured evidence of such practices, leading to underestimation in historical and archaeological records.
The implications of this discovery extend beyond forensic and archaeological interests. Understanding historical embalming practices enriches our knowledge of cultural responses to death, religious customs, and the development of preservation techniques. It also informs conservation methods for ancient human remains and offers potential insights for contemporary biomedical research into tissue preservation under natural conditions.
Finally, the researchers suggest that the embalming was possibly linked to preparations for post-mortem transportation of the body, potentially aiming to move the vicar’s remains to his home abbey. The absence of further records or successful relocation adds a layer of mystery to this process, highlighting the complexities surrounding death rituals and their documentation in early modern Europe.
In conclusion, this pioneering investigation showcases how integrating modern technological methods with historical inquiry can solve longstanding mysteries of human history. The "air-dried chaplain" of St. Thomas am Blasenstein serves as a unique testament to human ingenuity in death care, bridging centuries of knowledge and inviting future research into forgotten traditions of embalming and mummification.
Subject of Research: Uncovered embalming techniques and life history of an 18th-century Austrian mummy.
Article Title: The Mystery of the "Air-dried Chaplain" solved: the Life and "Afterlife" of an unusual Human Mummy from 18th century Austria.
News Publication Date: 2-May-2025.
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1560050
Image Credits: Andreas Nerlich.
Keywords: embalming methods, mummification, zinc chloride, wood chips, radiocarbon dating, CT scan, 18th-century Austria, Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg, air-dried mummy, stable isotope analysis, historical pathology, forensic anthropology.
