Mummified Remains: Hidden Dangers Emerge from Online Sales

An analysis of social media posts and online auction listings suggests that individuals buying or shipping mummified remains face significant health risks. Researchers from universities in the UK, Lithuania, Italy, and Australia found that poor storage and transport conditions can expose people to toxic substances and fungal spores—though the study relies on visual inspection of photographs rather than laboratory testing.

Methodology and Sample Composition

The researchers conducted a data analysis of open-source materials from social networks, internet stores, and auction platforms. The sample included 128 publications posted between 2015 and 2025. Of these, 122 focused on human remains and six on animal remains. Some data were drawn from a private archive maintained by one of the authors since 2014.

The study focused on the visual state of the objects and how they were handled. Because the team had no physical access to the specimens, they could not identify specific bacteria or fungi; instead, they documented external signs of tissue degradation.

Biological and Chemical Hazards

Visual evidence of biodegradation—including white, gray, black, and yellowish spots or coatings—was present in 13 publications. In six cases, tissue destruction by microorganisms was pronounced. The authors note that mummification does not entirely stop biological processes; dormant microorganisms can activate when objects are moved into dark, humid, and poorly ventilated spaces.

Fungal spores that enter the air pose a particular risk if inhaled during contact. Furthermore, researchers recorded 22 instances where remains were touched without gloves, with sellers ignoring warnings regarding personal protective equipment.

Logistics and Origin Discrepancies

The study identified systematic deception in the shipping process. Remains are frequently sent via standard postal services, such as Royal Mail, despite prohibitions on transporting bio-materials. To bypass security, sellers use false customs codes, labeling human remains as demonstration models or instruments.

Transparency regarding origin is also lacking. The country of origin was missing in 20% of the listings; where provided, data were often unverifiable. The most frequently cited regions were Egypt (43.1%) and South America (20.6%).

Scope and Limitations

The authors clarify that while the risk of transmitting diseases from ancient mummies to healthy individuals is low, the probability of complications increases for those with weakened immune systems. The study does not attempt to describe the entire global market but illustrates systemic safety failures in online trade.

The findings indicate that trading mummies outside museum control carries risks of biological and chemical contamination. The authors suggest that mitigating these threats requires stricter bio-material transport regulations and oversight of their circulation.

Source: This article was adapted from an original Russian-language publication by Pravda.Ru.