Researchers have discovered a unique case of vitrification – a process where organic tissue turns into glass-like material – in the skull of a young man who died during the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The discovery was made after analyzing black glass shards found in his brain, which were later confirmed to be his vitrified brain and parts of his spinal cord.
According to volcanologist Guido Giordano, the process is counterintuitive as it would require temperatures above 510°C (950°F) to cause rapid heating and cooling. However, scientists believe that a brief period of high temperature followed by rapid cooling caused the brain to turn into glass.
The young man was lying in his bed when a deadly ash cloud from Mount Vesuvius engulfed Herculaneum, causing widespread destruction and death. The ash cloud reached temperatures of 1,000-1,100°C (1,800-2,000°F), but it dissipated quickly, leaving behind only a thin layer of ash.
The unique preservation process involved the brain being cooled rapidly after heating, resulting in its transformation into glass. This discovery provides new insights into the effects of ancient eruptions on human remains and adds to the list of unusual brain preservation methods found by archaeologists.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/27/mt-vesuvius-eruption-turned-mans-brain-into-glass/80495503007