How a volcanic eruption turned a human brain into glass
1 min read
Summary
A team of academics from Roma Tre University and the University of Naples believe they have discovered why a Roman man’s brain turned into glass when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD.
The man, thought to be in his 20s and found in a building that may have been a place of worship, was found face down on a bed, surrounded by a layer of volcanic ash.
It is thought that the man’s brain was exposed to extreme heat from the volcano, perhaps from a surge of super-heated volcanic gases, turning it to glass.
The findings were published in Scientific Reports and offer new insights into how the brain can be preserved.
No reason has been given as to why this man’s brain was turned to glass while others remain uncorrupted.