18th-Century Austrian Mummy Identified and Preserved by Rare Embalming Technique

Scientists discover 18th-century Austrian mummy was embalmed through the rectum

Scientists have figured out how the body of an 18th-century Austrian vicar has remained so well-preserved for nearly 300 years — and it’s unlike anything they’ve seen before.

The well-preserved mummy was air-dried by stuffing the rectum with wood shavings, twigs, tissue and zinc chloride. The 280-year-old body belonged to an Austrian priest, and this is the first time archaeologists have encountered this strange – and apparently successful – mummification method.

For centuries, the mummy of the "Luftg'selchten Reverend" remained well preserved in Upper Austria, with the rectum of the dead playing an important role, as researchers now explained.

Archaeologists solve mystery of 18th-century 'air-dried' mummy - Manchester Evening News

A new study of an "unusually well-preserved" mummy has revealed an embalming method scientists have never seen before

In a study published on Friday, May 2, scientists claim that the mummified body of the Austrian priest would have been preserved by a method of embalming hitherto never observed.

Well-Preserved Austrian Mummy Reveals Unusual Rectal Embalming Technique

Learn how the examination of Austrian mummy remains reveals details of his life, but leaves a few mysteries behind.