Unearthing the Hidden Health Hazards Behind the Online Trade of Mummified Human Remains

A recent academic study has revealed genuine health risks linked to the growing trade of mummified human remains across social media, e-commerce platforms, and auction houses, suggesting that the legend of the "mummy's curse" may have some basis in reality.

Published in the International Journal of Cultural Property by Cambridge University Press and titled “The real mummy's curse: Health risks associated with the sale and trade of mummified remains,” the study was co-authored by researchers specializing in bioarchaeology and the preservation of human remains. According to The Guardian, scientists analyzed 128 advertisements and posts offering mummified human remains for sale on Meta-owned platforms, e-commerce sites, online stores, and auction houses, describing their conclusions as “grim” due to deteriorating remains being sold without adequate handling warnings.

Hands and feet were among the most common mummified body parts offered for sale, followed closely by heads. Human heads—whether intact or partial—and skulls retaining soft tissue or hair accounted for approximately 51.6 percent of the sample studied.

Deadly Spores and Heavy Metals

The danger of this trade is heightened by the substances used in ancient mummification processes. Human tissues were sometimes preserved using chemicals and heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, and lead, which pose health risks without proper protective gear. Additionally, mummified remains can harbor dormant microorganisms centuries after drying out. When disturbed, fungal spores can become airborne, presenting inhalation hazards.

The study highlights a 1970s incident that killed 10 out of 12 conservationists who opened the tomb of King Casimir IV in Kraków, Poland, believed to be caused by inhaling Aspergillus fungal spores. Researchers also linked the Aspergillus fungus to the 1923 death of Lord Carnarvon, a key financier of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings, which originally fueled the legend of the "mummy's curse." However, scientists emphasize these dangers stem from explainable biological and chemical hazards.

Improper Storage

Kirsty Squires, a professor of human bioarchaeology at Staffordshire University, stated that some individuals involved in the trade do not grasp the extent of the risks, noting online images showing severely deteriorated remains kept in open areas within homes without protective cases. Furthermore, human remains transported via postal and shipping services expose warehouse workers, drivers, logistics personnel, and customs officials to potential risks without their knowledge or proper protective gear.

Ultimately, the study shows that the trade in ancient human remains is fraught with genuine dangers, necessitating stricter regulations to protect collectors, handlers, and the general public.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm