Scientists have uncovered the secret of Gorini's fossilized baby mummies

European researchers have studied the collection of Italian physician, chemist and philosopher Paolo Gorini from fossilized children's mummies of the 19th century. Scientists have found that it contains the remains of six infants less than a year old at the time of death. The results of the study were published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine.

Gorini devoted a significant part of his life to natural sciences, including dealing with cremation and preservation of remains. He developed his own technique that made it possible to turn soft tissues into fossils. The scientist kept the technique a secret, but it is now known that he used various combinations of chemicals.

Since 1981, these specimens have been located in the Old Hospital in Lodi and are the only known case of preserved Gorini children's mummies. The study combines macroscopic examination, radiographic imaging, anthropological assessment, and entomological observations conducted to document biological characteristics, embalming techniques, and conservation needs.

By studying six specimens, the researchers found out that all the fossilized mummies were babies. Radiographic analysis allowed us to estimate the age at the time of death, which varies from 1.5 to 12 months. According to scientists, two of the children were girls, the rest turned out to be boys. The soft tissues were preserved to an exceptional extent, which allowed the identification of dermal, muscular and internal structures.

In addition, the three fossils differed in their postures. So, one of the girls was preserved kneeling, repeating the pose of a praying man, and two boys had their arms crossed. Growth arrest lines (Harris lines) were also found in two children, which indicate physiological stress.

These specimens, which have never been analyzed before and are currently preserved in the anatomical collection of the former Lodi Hospital, represent an unexplored source of information about Gorini conservation methods. Scientists believe that the research contributes not only to the deepening of historical and scientific knowledge, but also to the development of future conservation strategies, some of which have already been applied to parts of the collection, especially embalmed busts.

On November 30, Science Daily magazine reported the discovery of a dinosaur mummy, the soft tissues of which were preserved in the form of the thinnest clay mask. This process was called "clay templating." It was clarified that the mummy also revealed detailed preserved clay prints of skin, scales and hooves.

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