Scientists have discovered a rare organic glass inside the skull of an individual who died in Herculaneum during the 79 CE Mount Vesuvius eruption. The glass is believed to be made from the fossilized brain, and its formation was likely caused by a brief exposure to extremely hot ash clouds.
Research published in Scientific Reports found that the glass formed when the brain’s temperature reached above 510°C, then cooled rapidly. This process requires specific conditions, including a significant temperature difference between the substance and its surroundings. In this case, the ambient temperatures were too high for water to solidify, making it difficult for organic glass to form naturally.
The study analyzed fragments of glass from inside the skull and spinal cord of the deceased individual. The results showed that the brain must have been heated above 510°C before cooling rapidly. However, the pyroclastic flows that buried Herculaneum did not reach temperatures high enough to cause this effect.
Instead, scientists believe that a super-heated ash cloud dissipated quickly, raising the individual’s temperature and causing rapid cooling. The bones in the skull and spine protected the brain from complete thermal breakdown, allowing fragments of glass to form. This rare discovery provides insight into the conditions under which organic glass can form naturally.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-discover-mysterious-ancient-human-brain-turned-to-glass-by-mount-vesuvius