The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD has long fascinated researchers and historians, with excavations of the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum yielding a wealth of information about life in ancient Rome. Recently, scientists have made a remarkable discovery – a preserved skull containing glassified brain matter from a young man who lived in Herculaneum.
Researchers estimate that temperatures during the eruption reached as high as 900 degrees Fahrenheit, which is unusually hot for human tissue to melt into goo. However, instead of melting, the brain somehow solidified into glass-like material. This phenomenon has been documented only once before, and scientists are still trying to understand how it occurred.
A team of researchers from Roma Tre University has made a groundbreaking discovery that confirms the presence of human brain remains in the skull. They believe that the young man’s brain was preserved through a unique process involving high temperatures and rapid cooling, which caused the brain matter to form organic glass.
According to scientists, the man’s brain was likely flash-fried by hot ash as he slept, heating it to the point where it became molten glass. The rapid cooling of his remaining brain chunks resulted in them becoming solid masses. It is believed that this unique combination of factors led to the preservation of the brain for thousands of years.
This discovery has significant implications for fields such as forensic biology, volcanology, and Roman history. It also raises questions about the extent of the destruction caused by the eruption and how human remains were preserved in the aftermath. The study of this phenomenon provides a fascinating glimpse into the ancient world and highlights the importance of continued research and exploration.
Source: https://futurism.com/the-byte/scientists-study-pompeii-brain-glass