One of the surprises unearthed by the excavations at Pompeii has thrilled scientists: a victim’s brain was found to have turned into glass. Scientists think that this unusual phenomenon may revise our comprehension of what happened on that fateful day when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.
The bodies were discovered in Herculaneum, the city next door to Pompeii, where intense heat from the volcanic explosion is believed to have instantly vaporized body tissues. The intense heat followed by the quick cooling could have led to the fatty tissues within the brain to be transformed into glass-like substance through a process called vitrification. This is one of the earliest recorded instances of brain vitrification in history.
Scientists analyzing the preserved brain fragments suggest that the temperatures likely reached 500°C (932°F) or higher, which would have led to an almost instantaneous death. The rapid cooling afterward helped preserve the glassy brain material, offering an unprecedented look into the final moments of Pompeii’s residents.
This stunning discovery may transform the way scientists analyze ancient remains and offer greater insight into the destructive potential of volcanic eruptions. As scientists learn more, researchers are hoping to unlock additional secrets beneath the ash-encased ruins of Pompeii.
