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Austrian Priest's 250-Year-Old Mummy Reveals Unique Preservation Method

Researchers confirm Franz Xaver Sidler's identity, uncover a novel stuffing technique for preservation, and reinter his remains after a detailed study.

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Overview

  • The mummy, identified as Franz Xaver Sidler, was preserved using an unprecedented method involving internal stuffing with wood shavings, textiles, and zinc chloride via the rectum.
  • Radiocarbon dating and anatomical analysis confirmed Sidler’s death in 1746 at age 37, aligning with historical records.
  • Scientific examination dispelled myths of poisoning, identifying a glass bead from a rosary and determining tuberculosis-related pulmonary hemorrhage as the likely cause of death.
  • Dietary analysis revealed Sidler enjoyed a high-status diet of European grains, animal products, and possibly freshwater fish, reflecting his privileged lifestyle as a priest.
  • Following the study, Sidler’s remains were ceremonially reburied in his parish with significant public involvement, emphasizing the community's connection to its heritage.