‘Exceptionally Rare’ Remains of 200-Year-Old Newborn Discovered in Crypt
Summary
Anthropologists in northern Italy discovered a nearly perfectly preserved wooden coffin containing the remains of a newborn baby from about 200 years ago. The cold, humid, and chemical conditions in the crypt helped keep the baby's bones, hair, and clothing intact, which is very rare for remains of infants this old.Key Facts
- The coffin was found in an 18th-century cemetery called Mortorino in San Fiorano, Italy.
- The baby inside was wrapped in cloth, and its hair was well preserved.
- Infant bones are usually not well preserved because they are still growing and more fragile.
- Researchers also found remains of a baby about four and a half months old nearby.
- High humidity and water damage have harmed the crypt’s artwork, so the remains were removed temporarily for restoration work.
- Scientists plan to use CT scans to study the baby’s remains without harming them.
- The discovery helps researchers learn about child deaths and burial customs from 200 years ago.
- The project combines bioarchaeology (the study of ancient human remains) and heritage conservation to protect and understand history.
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