The human brain usually decays first after death, so how have thousands survived for 12,000 years? Scientists uncover the chemistry behind the mystery
- Representative Image (Canva)The human brain is one of the first organs to break down after death, making the discovery of preserved brains at archaeological sites particularly puzzling.
- Yet thousands of ancient human brains have survived long after other soft tissues disappeared, sometimes remaining as the only preserved soft tissue in otherwise skeletonised remains.
- New research now offers a molecular explanation for this unusual form of preservation, pointing to the chemistry created when brains are buried in wet, oxygen-poor environments.
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- Representative Image (Canva)The human brain is one of the first organs to break down after death, making the discovery of preserved brains at archaeological sites particularly puzzling.
- Yet thousands of ancient human brains have survived long after other soft tissues disappeared, sometimes remaining as the only preserved soft tissue in otherwise skeletonised remains.
- New research now offers a molecular explanation for this unusual form of preservation, pointing to the chemistry created when brains are buried in wet, oxygen-poor environments.
Sources: Times of India