The Fascinating Science Behind the Glassified Brain of Herculaneum
The Discovery of a Lifetime
Five years ago, Italian researchers published a groundbreaking study on the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. The study detailed the discovery of a male victim, presumed to be in his mid-20s, found in the seaside settlement of Herculaneum. The man was lying facedown and buried by ash on a wooden bed in the College of the Augustales, a public building dedicated to the worship of Emperor Augustus. Some scholars believe that the man was the center’s caretaker and was asleep at the time of the disaster.
In 2018, a researcher discovered black, glossy shards embedded inside the caretaker’s skull. The 2020 paper speculated that the immense heat of the explosion had fused the victim’s brain tissue into glass. Forensic analysis of the obsidian-like chips revealed proteins common in brain tissue and fatty acids found in human hair. A chunk of charred wood unearthed near the skeleton indicated a thermal reading as high as 968 degrees Fahrenheit, roughly the dome temperature of a wood-fired Neapolitan pizza oven. This was the only known instance of soft tissue being naturally preserved as glass.
Verification and Scientific Methods
On a recent Thursday, a paper published in Nature verified that the fragments are indeed glassified brain. Using techniques such as electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry, scientists examined the physical properties of samples taken from the glassy fragments. They demonstrated how they were formed and preserved. “The unique finding implies unique processes,” said Guido Giordano, a volcanologist at the Roma Tre University and lead author of the new study.
The Process of Vitrification
Foremost among those processes is vitrification, by which material is burned at a high heat until it liquefies. To harden into glass, the substance requires rapid cooling, solidifying at a temperature higher than its surroundings. This makes organic glass formation challenging, as vitrification entails very specific temperature conditions and the liquid form must cool fast enough to avoid being crystallized as it congeals.
The Eruption and Its Aftermath
Dr. Giordano and his colleagues deduced that shortly after Vesuvius began belching up debris, a steaming toxic cloud of ash and white pumice flashed through Herculaneum, instantly killing its inhabitants. Claudio Scarpati, a volcanologist at the University of Naples Federico II, has proposed that this so-called pyroclastic density current was the third of 17 that spewed from Vesuvius. Pulses of colder volcanic debris followed, engulfing the area. “The residents of Herculaneum were already dead by the time they were buried,” Dr. Giordano said.
Although the short-lived ash cloud left only an inch or two of debris and little if any structural damage, it is said to have heated the caretaker’s brain to well above 950 degrees, the glass transition temperature. This broke the soft tissue into smaller pieces without destroying it. The bones of the man’s skull and spine probably gave some protection to the brain. As the ash cloud dissipated, temperatures quickly returned to normal. In the open air, at 950 degrees, the caretaker’s brain fossilized into glass. Only body parts containing some liquid can vitrify, Dr. Giordano said, which is why the caretaker’s bones remained intact.
Skepticism and New Evidence
The 2020 study was met with some skepticism by other scientists, largely because the raw data was not available. Tim Thompson, a forensic anthropologist at Maynooth University in Ireland, was perhaps the most vocal doubter. This time around, the results excited him. “I very much enjoy seeing new scientific methods applied to the archaeological context,” he said. But Dr. Thompson would like to see more evidence and more of the original data: “The heating and cooling within Herculaneum following the eruption is likely to be complicated, and the results of the investigation certainly support their conclusions. It just depends on whether the material is brain.”
Future Trends in Archaeological Science
The discovery of the glassified brain in Herculaneum opens up new avenues for archaeological and forensic science. The use of advanced techniques like electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry could revolutionize how we understand past events and the preservation of organic materials.
Did you know?
The temperature inside a wood-fired Neapolitan pizza oven can reach up to 968 degrees Fahrenheit, similar to the thermal conditions that vitrified the caretaker’s brain.
Potential Future Trends
Advanced Imaging Techniques
With the advent of more sophisticated imaging techniques, scientists can now delve deeper into the molecular structure of ancient artifacts. This could lead to the discovery of more instances of vitrified organic material, providing new insights into historical events.
Pro tips
For archaeologists and historians, collaboration with volcanologists and forensic scientists can yield groundbreaking results. The interdisciplinary approach used in the Herculaneum study could become a standard in future research.
Enhanced Data Sharing
The availability of raw data and more transparent research methods can build trust within the scientific community. This could lead to more collaborative efforts and faster advancements in the field.
Table: Key Findings and Methods
| Finding | Method Used | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Glassified Brain Tissue | Electron Microscopy | Confirmed the presence of glassified brain tissue. |
| Thermal Reading | Charred Wood Analysis | Indicated temperatures as high as 968 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| Protein and Fatty Acid Analysis | Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy | Revealed proteins common in brain tissue and fatty acids found in human hair. |
| Vitrification Process | Differential Scanning Calorimetry | Demonstrated the specific temperature conditions required for vitrification. |
FAQ Section
What is vitrification?
Vitrification is the process by which material is burned at a high heat until it liquefies and then rapidly cools to harden into glass.
How was the glassified brain discovered?
The glassified brain was discovered in 2018 by a researcher who found black, glossy shards embedded inside the caretaker’s skull.
What techniques were used to verify the glassified brain?
Scientists used techniques such as electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry to verify the glassified brain.
Why is this discovery significant?
This discovery is significant because it is the only known instance of soft tissue being naturally preserved as glass, providing new insights into the preservation of organic materials.
Reader Questions
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