A recent study unravels a centuries-old mystery surrounding a mummified clergyman in Austria. Researchers from Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) in Munich confirmed that the mummy is that of Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg, an 18th-century priest who died in 1746 at the age of 37.
"We took the mummy for a few months for examination with our specialized teams, imaging tomography, etc. In the meantime, there was time for restoration of the space. It was a win-win situation," said Dr. Andreas Nerlich, who led the research, according to CNN. The renovations in the crypt housing the mummy allowed scientists to conduct a close examination using state-of-the-art analysis to solve the mystery of its exceptional preservation.
Through computed tomography (CT) scans, radiocarbon dating, and chemical analysis of bone and tissue samples, the team confirmed the identity of the mummy and uncovered the unique method used to preserve the body. Nerlich and his colleagues found that the abdominal and pelvic cavities of the mummy were filled with materials such as wood shavings from fir and spruce, linen, hemp, and finely embroidered fabrics. This unusual method of embalming had not been recorded in any manual of the time.
"The additional pieces that the mummy had inside it and the fabric would have bound the water. The zinc chloride would have a drying action and would reduce the bacterial load in the intestine," Nerlich explained. The materials were likely introduced through the rectum, resembling the process of stuffing poultry. This technique prevented the decomposition of the body, resulting in the exceptional preservation that had puzzled scientists for centuries.
Analyses of the corpse indicated that Sidler's age at death ranged between 30 and 50 years, with a likelihood between 35 and 45 years. Radiocarbon dating determined that he died between 1734 and 1780 at approximately 37 years old. Both the year of death and the age determination align with historical records about Sidler.
Additional toxicological analyses revealed traces of zinc chloride and other elements used in mummification, but there was no evidence of poisoning. This debunked previous theories and local rumors suggesting that Sidler may have died from a violent death or poisoning, possibly due to a capsule-shaped object found in an earlier X-ray examination. That object turned out to be a harmless glass ball, possibly part of a rosary accidentally trapped in the embalming material.
According to the study, it is more likely that the clergyman suffered from tuberculosis and died from a severe lung hemorrhage. The presence of calcifications and cysts in his lungs indicated chronic pulmonary issues that would have led to an acute pulmonary hemorrhage. The analysis also revealed that Sidler was a long-time smoker, which may have contributed to his health problems.
"This method of embalming, which appears to be a novelty in Europe, had never been seen before and differs from the more well-known methods used in ancient Egypt, which require the opening of the body," the study noted.
The impressive preservation of the corpse, with intact skin and tissues, had attracted pilgrims for centuries who believed the remains might have healing properties. There were reports of miraculous healings near his resting place in the crypt of St. Thomas am Blasenstein Church. Local traditions had long indicated that the clergyman died from an infectious disease, and wild theories had emerged over the years regarding his death and preservation.
The reason why Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg was embalmed in such an unusual manner remains unclear. Some experts suggest that the embalming was done to prevent the spread of infection through "miasma," or bad air, while others believe it was intended to preserve the body for transport to his home monastery. However, the final journey was never undertaken, and his body remained in the crypt where it continued to fascinate both scientists and pilgrims alike.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.