The late discovery of a well - preserved dissected head dating back to the 1200s has shown that the middle years were n’t as anti - science as many scholar would have us believe . While it looks pretty fearsome , this mummified drumhead was a gothic science projection — a dissection that was n’t merely intend to be gawk at and pitch off . Given its outstandingly well preserved DoS , scientists suspect that it was used for ongoing medical educational activity .
Whoever preserved this head have intercourse what they were doing . The vein and arteries are fill with a motley of beeswax , Citrus aurantifolia and cinnabar moth mercury — compound that preserve the consistency , while also give the circulative system some color ( cinnabar mercury has a red tincture ) .
Writing in LiveScience , Stephanie Pappasreports :
The gruesome specimen , now in a private collection , consists of a human head and shoulder with the top of the skull and mastermind move out . Rodent nibbles and insect larvae trails spoil the side . The arteries are fill with a red “ metal wax ” chemical compound that helped save the body .
The preparation of the specimen was surprisingly advanced . carbon 14 dating redact the old age of the body between A.D. 1200 and A.D.1280 , an era once considered part of Europe ’s anti - scientific “ Dark Ages . ” In fact , said study research worker Philippe Charlier , a physician and forensic scientist at University Hospital R. Poincare in France , the young specimen suggests surprising anatomic expertise during this time period .
“ It ’s state - of - the - art , ” Charlier told LiveScience . “ I reckon that the preparator did not do this just one clip , but several time , to be so secure at this . ”
Be sure to study Pappas’sentire clause , as she reviews the fascinating history of Medieval Era scientific discipline and how it fared during this intriguing period in human history .
effigy via Archives of Medical Science .
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