The child, radiocarbon-dated to between 1617 and 1814, was laid to rest in a sealed copper coffin beneath an ancient villa. Scientists now confirm that the unique interaction between copper, bodily fluids, and the burial environment produced one of the most unusual preservation cases ever documented.
This discovery represents the first recorded case of a full-body “green mummy.” Unlike previous instances where copper left localized stains on remains, this case shows systemic preservation and coloration. The findings result from a comprehensive, multidisciplinary investigation involving geneticists, anthropologists, radiologists, physicists, computer scientists, and conservation experts.
Initially discovered in 1987, the mummy was kept under conservation until recently re-examined with modern analytical tools. The analysis revealed that the coffin’s material, the microclimate inside it, and chemical reactions between the corpse and the metal led to deep, structural changes in the body, extending from the outer skin to the internal bone.
Copper Disrupted Decomposition and Altered the Body’s Composition
The coffin’s copper composition played a critical role in suppressing the usual microbial activity that drives decomposition. According to Earth.com, copper’s antimicrobial properties began working as soon as the coffin was sealed, slowing bacterial growth and protecting the soft tissues.
As decomposition progressed, organic acids from the body caused the copper to corrode, forming mobile copper compounds. These compounds spread throughout the body, binding with the tissue and replacing calcium in the skeleton. This ion exchange created structural changes in the bone and contributed to the green tint that penetrates the body from epidermis to marrow.
Simultaneously, gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor, released during decomposition, reacted with the copper to form a crust of corrosion on the surface—true patina—similar to that found on weathered bronze. This process covered the skin with a pale green film, producing a complete and consistent coloration unlike typical metal staining.
Environmental Shift Inside the Coffin Preserved the Remains
The internal conditions of the coffin evolved as decomposition continued. Acid buildup eventually caused the base of the copper box to crack, which allowed fluids to drain. With the liquid gone, the chamber dried out and became low in oxygen—conditions that are known to inhibit decay.
This change may also explain the absence of the boy’s feet, which were likely lost when the box failed. The remaining body stayed preserved in an oxygen-poor, cool, and dry environment, reinforcing the effect of the copper. This combination of chemical and physical factors stabilized the tissues and bone over centuries.
The study’s findings document each stage of this transformation, showing the gradual displacement of calcium by copper in bone, the movement of copper corrosion products into tissue, and the spread of patina across the skin.
Rare Case Becomes Reference for Metal-Induced Preservation
Green staining of mummified remains has been noted before, such as in isolated body parts affected by coins or metal jewelry, but this is the first time a full body has shown such consistent and deep green coloration. The extent and condition of the mummy position it as a scientific reference for future studies on how metals interact with human remains.
The absence of any signs of trauma or disease points to preservation, not pathology, as the main factor behind the body’s current state. External experts cited by the same source confirmed that the evidence supports the team’s conclusions about both the preservation process and the cause of the coloration.
This case challenges the conventional distinction between metals as either threats or aids in conservation. Copper functioned first as a microbial inhibitor, and later as a reactive agent in the chemical transformation of the body.
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