Researchers have issued a warning regarding the unregulated global commerce in mummified human remains, which poses significant biological threats. The trade in ancient body parts,such as heads and limbs, may expose collectors to dormant fungal pathogens and toxic heavy metals.
The 1922 Tutankhamun precedent
The notion of a "mummy's curse" may be rooted in biological reality rather than mere superstition. As the report notes , the 1922 excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb is historically linked to the death of Lord Carnarvon, the project's primary financial supporter. It is widely believed that inhaling spores from the burial chamber may have contributed to his passing.
This historical event serves as a chilling parallel to modern concerns regarding the inhalation of ancient microorganisms during the handling of unpreserved remains. Unlike the climate-controlled glass cases found in professional museums, many private collections lack the environmental safeguards necessary to prevent the release of these ancient hazards.
128 online listings and the rise of digital auctions
A recent study published in the International Journal of Cultural Property tracked the movement of these remains through 128 online posts across Meta platforms, e-commerce sites, and various auction houses... The researchers found that 51.6 percent of the sampled items were mummified heads, including skulls with soft tissue and "tsantsas"—the shrunken heads traditionally produced by the Shuar people of northern Peru and eastern Ecuador.
The study also identified a high frequency of isolated body parts, such as hands and feet, being sold to private individuals. Many of these items were being stored in residential living rooms without any evidence of temperature or humidity control, creating an unstable environment for ancient organic material.
A cocktail of arsenic, mercury, and fungal spores
The biological dangers of this trade stem from both ancient pathogens and the toxic chemicals used in historical preservation. According to the researchers, the mummification process often involves heavy metals such as arsenic, which can cause cancer and organ damage, and mercury, which is linked to brain and kidney issues. Other substances like lead, antimony, and copper also pose significant risks to the nervous and respiratory systems.
Beyond chemical toxicity, the study found that 13 posts featureed remains with visible fungal colonization, with six cases showing "extensive biodeterioration." When these remains are moved or disturbed, dormant spoores can become airborne, potentially causing lung irritation, skin lesions, or severe poisoning.
Who is monitoring these Royal Mail shipments?
The lack of oversight in the transport of these remains presents a major regulatory gap. The researchers highlighted a specific case where a buyer in the United States received mummified remains from the United Kingdom via Royal Mail. This incident raises several urgent questions: How are sellers successfully utilizing standard postal services to transport human remains without proper documentation? What are the potential health risks for postal workers who handle these unlabelled, potentially infectious packages? Furthermore, how much of this trade is occurring on unmonitored digital marketplaces that fall outside the scope of current scientific studies?
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