A peer-reviewed academic study published in the International Journal of Cultural Property has raised alarm about the expansion of a largely illicit international market for mummified human remains. The research, conducted by academics including Kirsty Squires from the University of Staffordshire, examined the buying and selling of centuries-old body parts including hands, feet, and heads through social media, e-commerce platforms, and auction houses.
The study analyzed 128 online listings across Meta platforms, e-commerce sites, and auction houses, finding numerous instances of mummified remains available for purchase. Over half of the items examined consisted of mummified heads in varying states of preservation, including whole or partial heads, skulls with soft tissue, and tsantsas, the shrunken heads produced by the Shuar people of northern Peru and eastern Ecuador. The researchers noted that sellers typically provided no safety guidance despite clear signs of biodeterioration in many of the items.
The mummification process, whether intentional or naturally occurring, involves chemical and physical methods designed to prevent decomposition. However, the preservation techniques historically employed have relied on toxic materials and substances, including heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, and lead. Despite centuries of desiccation, mummified remains can still harbor dormant microorganisms, including fungal spores that may become airborne when disturbed, posing inhalation risks to living persons.
The academics highlighted historical precedents of health risks associated with exposure to mummified remains. They cited the case of conservation scientists who opened the tomb of King Casimir IV of Kraków in the 1970s, with aspergillus spore inhalation blamed in the deaths of ten of twelve workers. The study notes that similar fungal spore exposure may have contributed to the death of Lord Carnarvon, the financial backer of the Tutankhamun tomb exploration in Egypt.
Beyond individuals directly involved in the trade, the research identified broader occupational health concerns. The use of postal and courier services to transport mummified remains puts warehouse workers, drivers, transportation hub employees, and customs officials at risk, as these personnel are unlikely to wear appropriate personal protective equipment when initially encountering such shipments.
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