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Human remains spark a mix of intrigue and discomfort. From being unearthed in criminal investigations, found during archaeological digs, portrayed in horror films, or even used in Halloween costumes, they resonate with us on various emotional and intellectual levels. What is particularly captivating is how different cultures across time have handled, preserved, and revered human remains for different reasons. Today, these bodies and their fragments continue to hold significance in a variety of ways.
10. Egyptian Mummies - United Kingdom
The ancient Egyptians practiced mummification on their royalty, priests, and occasionally pets to ensure their bodies and souls could safely pass into the afterlife. However, the procedure was gruesome. The internal organs were extracted and preserved in ceremonial jars, and the brain was removed in pieces through the nose.
Interest in ancient Egyptian tombs, where mummies were kept, surged during the Victorian era, especially after Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. As a result of their expedition and the treasure hunts by other wealthy Victorians, the British Museum in London now boasts the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities outside of Egypt. This includes two rooms filled with mummies, one of which is over 5,000 years old, displayed in the Roxie Walker Galleries.
Another notable mummy in the museum’s collection is that of the high priestess of the Temple of Amen-Ra, which is believed to be cursed. This legend emerged after Thomas Douglas Murray acquired the mummy in 1889.
Murray endured a string of severe misfortunes, including losing his arm and witnessing the deaths of many of his friends and colleagues who had come into contact with the mummy. Even museum staff members who touched the mummy’s case died under strange circumstances. Additionally, many reported eerie sounds and moans coming from the mummy late at night.
Other museums in the UK also house mummies in their collections. The Manchester Museum in the North West holds 20 human mummies collected by William Matthew Flinders Petrie, who also donated to the British Museum. Mummies can also be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection in Berlin, the Museo Egizio in Turin, and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
9. Sokushinbutsu Monks - Japan
Sokushinbutsu refers to 'self-mummification.' This ritual was practiced by Buddhist monks between AD 1000 and 1800, with the belief that preserving their bodies would create a link between the living world and the spirit world, helping them attain a higher state of enlightenment.
The process involved gradually depriving the body of nutrients to minimize bacterial growth after death. The monk would be buried alive under strict temperature control with a steady supply of air, allowing him to breathe and slowly pass away, leaving the body nearly perfectly preserved.
In contrast to Egyptian mummies, the sokushinbutsu monks are not placed in coffins or tombs but are displayed in open air. Their hair, nails, and clothing are often preserved, and they remain seated in the lotus position with their legs crossed—the pose they chose to die in.
There is, however, a link between sokushinbutsu and Egyptian mummies. If a monk successfully achieved sokushinbutsu, his body was revered as a divine or living Buddha, much like how the ancient Egyptians regarded their mummies as earthly manifestations of the gods.
Although the practice of sokushinbutsu is not specifically mentioned in Buddhist teachings, it became popular among monks desiring posthumous worship. In 1877, the Japanese government prohibited sokushinbutsu, classifying it as a form of ritualistic suicide, which was already illegal.
The final known attempt at sokushinbutsu was made by Tetsuryukai, a one-eyed monk. After his self-mummification was confirmed, his followers adjusted his death records to make it appear as though he had died before the practice was outlawed.
While not all attempts at sokushinbutsu were successful, those that were are now displayed in various temples throughout Japan. Tetsuryukai's preserved body can be visited at Nangaku Temple in Central Tsuruoka, located in northern Japan.
Some of the preserved monks can be found at the Dainichi-Boo Temple on Mount Yudono in Dewa Province and the Kaikokuji Temple in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture. It is possible that many monks are still buried throughout Yamagata Prefecture, their bodies abandoned after sokushinbutsu was outlawed.
8. The Sedlec Ossuary - Czech Republic
The Sedlec Ossuary is a truly unique church, where all its decorations are crafted from human bones. Among the most striking features is a chandelier composed of at least one bone from every human body. The entire chapel houses the remains of between 40,000 to 70,000 individuals.
The original church was constructed in 1400, with the bone decorations added later in 1870 by the woodcarver Frantisek Rint. Initially, the church resembled others in the region until King Otakar II of Bohemia sent a member of the Sedlec Cistercian Monastery on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
While on his journey, he gathered a jar of soil and returned to the church, sprinkling it over the cemetery. As a result, Sedlec quickly became a sought-after burial site for those wishing to have their remains near the holy soil and closer to God.
With an overwhelming number of people being buried or reburied at Sedlec, the cemetery became overcrowded. The bones were eventually stored in the cellar, also known as the ossuary, or 'bone store.' Rint was hired to help manage the growing collection.
Rint was tasked with organizing the bones in the chapel's basement, though he was given little guidance. The bone decorations he crafted, including a coat of arms for the Schwarzenberg family, have since drawn tourists and filmmakers alike.
Now famously known as the 'Bone Church,' the Sedlec Ossuary stands as one of the oldest locations where human remains are displayed artistically. In this space, the remains of over 40,000 individuals are housed, a number far greater than the space could accommodate if they were alive.
The current management of the ossuary describes the atmosphere as 'peaceful' and believes that the church honors and celebrates the wishes of the deceased by allowing their bones to rest near sacred soil.
7. Korperwelten (also known as Body Worlds) Germany
Body Worlds is an exhibition that blends art, science, and an element of shock. It features a collection of real human bodies, which have been skinned and positioned in dynamic poses such as running or practicing yoga, offering an insight into how muscles function.
The exhibition has traveled globally and continues to do so. However, the permanent exhibit and laboratory where the bodies are preserved is located in Guben, in the state of Brandenburg, Germany.
The exhibit was created by Gunther von Hagens after he developed and experimented with plastination. This technique involves extracting water and lipids from human tissues, organs, and body parts, and replacing them with plastic.
As a result, the body part or organ becomes solid, allowing doctors and medical students to handle and examine it directly. After delivering university lectures on the use of plastination in medical studies, von Hagens began applying this process commercially, creating a traveling exhibition for the public to view for a fee.
The Body Worlds exhibit has sparked significant controversy throughout its 20-year existence. Religious figures, politicians, and the public have questioned whether von Hagens showed enough respect for the deceased, and some deemed the exhibit immoral.
In defense, von Hagens stated that all bodies plastinated for the exhibit were donated voluntarily through a program that explained how the bodies would be used. Over 15,000 people have agreed to donate their bodies for future exhibitions after their death.
Von Hagens claims that it costs around €70,000 (more than $75,000) to plastinate a full body. A head is priced at €15,000 (just over $16,000), while other organs cost approximately €2,500 (close to $2,700) each, depending on their size and condition.
Despite such high expenses, admission to the exhibit is reasonably priced at €12 (just under $13) per adult. However, this means that the future of the Body Worlds exhibit remains uncertain, as it costs more to maintain than it generates in revenue.
6. Les Catacombes, France
Les Catacombes is one of Paris's most notable tourist destinations, showcasing the remains of individuals once interred at the Cemetery of the Innocents, near Saint-Eustache in the heart of the city. The cemetery was used for burials for over a thousand years before it became a public health issue, prompting the relocation of the bodies.
Between 1786 and 1860, six million bodies were transferred to Les Catacombes. These remains now lie within the 320 kilometers (200 miles) of tunnels and chambers beneath Paris, though certain areas remain off-limits to the public.
There are whispers of hidden tunnels and secret entrances leading to these restricted sections, allegedly used by Parisians called 'Cataphiles.' However, these locations are not promoted to tourists and searching for them is considered socially unacceptable.
Due to its eerie atmosphere and darkness, Les Catacombes has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories. Some claim fresh bodies have been found in restricted chambers, while others suggest the tunnels are home to the Gates of Hell. There are even rumors of a recently discovered video showing a man exploring the catacombs, only to be chased away by an unknown, ghostly entity.
While none of these claims have been substantiated, many consider them to be fabrications. Nonetheless, these stories contribute to the intrigue surrounding Les Catacombes, especially in relation to the restricted areas that only a select few lawbreakers have access to.
5. Tollund ManDenmark
The Tollund Man is one of the most remarkably preserved bog bodies in existence. Found in 1950, the remains were initially believed to belong to a recent homicide victim due to their incredible preservation.
The body was discovered with a rope tied around its neck, suggesting that the man had been hanged. In addition, remnants of his final meal—either porridge or oats—were found in his small intestines.
By analyzing the Tollund Man's teeth and skeleton, scientists estimated that he was about 30 years old at the time of his death, around 350 BC. When found, the remains included his hair and belt, though it’s believed the rest of his clothing deteriorated due to the acidic bog water where he was discovered.
The body also wore a pointed sheepskin hat tied around the head. Though the body measured 162 centimeters (5'4") long, it is believed that he likely shrank during his time in the bog. Some of his bones had even begun to push through the skin, showing the skin's contraction, which put pressure on the ribs, hips, and shoulders.
The internal organs of the Tollund Man, including the brain, stomach, small intestines, lungs, and heart, were remarkably well-preserved. These were later removed for further examination by medical professionals at Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen. In 1976, a particularly well-preserved finger was severed and analyzed, making it one of the oldest known collected fingerprints.
At the time of preservation, scientists focused their efforts on preserving the Tollund Man's head. Consequently, his head was carefully removed and preserved through a detailed process that gradually replaced the bog water in the body with beeswax and paraffin.
This preservation method safeguarded the head and facial features of the Tollund Man, though the head has slightly shrunk since excavation. The body was left to dry, resulting in bones instead of flesh. The reconstructed skin is now displayed, along with the original head, at the Silkeborg Museum in Denmark.
4. Barts Pathology Museum, United Kingdom
Barts Pathology Museum in London stands out among the many excellent medical museums worldwide, as it opens only during special events. These events typically have unique themes that add to the museum's allure.
For example, previous Valentine’s Day events have featured a captivating display of dissected hearts, while Halloween saw workshops on edible body parts and even suspected vampire remains. Many of these events actively engage visitors in the museum's practices, offering educational seminars and taxidermy workshops.
A unique aspect of the human remains at Barts is that all of them suffer from diseases and come from various periods in history. This allows visitors to step back in time and explore what ailments were common in different eras and how they were addressed.
Many of the bodies and body parts displayed in the museum were obtained through the old judicial system, where criminals were executed by hanging and then subjected to anatomization. This meant that their remains were dissected for educational purposes.
Notable specimens on display include an inguinal hernia from 1750, the bound foot of a Chinese woman from 1862, and the remains of a victim of hanging from 1926. Additionally, Barts houses the skull of John Bellingham, who assassinated the British Prime Minister and was sentenced to hanging and anatomization in 1812.
In total, the museum is home to over 5,000 different specimens. While some remain stored for conservation purposes, ongoing efforts are being made to repair and prepare more for public exhibition.
Barts Pathology Museum upholds a strong policy of respect for the deceased. It has published research on the best practices for handling and displaying human remains, which differentiates it slightly from the approach taken by the Body Worlds exhibit.
Barts continues to serve as a vital resource for both the medical students and faculty of Queen Mary University of London. In addition, the museum encourages public involvement in the study of medicine, anatomy, and the arts through its varied exhibition and event programming.
3. Albert Einstein’s Brain United States
After Albert Einstein's death, scientists were eager to study his brain because of his renown as one of the most brilliant minds in history. Before his cremation, Dr. Thomas Harvey removed Einstein's brain for examination, hoping to uncover the secret of what made Einstein so clever.
Initially, Einstein's son, Hans, was upset by the removal of his father's brain. However, he eventually consented to experiments being carried out in an attempt to uncover the origins of human intelligence.
Years passed without any published scientific findings regarding Einstein’s brain. It also seemed that the brain had gone missing from the Princeton Medical Center.
It was later revealed that Einstein’s brain had been divided into 240 pieces, which were then mounted on slides. These samples were sent to renowned pathologists and neurologists across the United States for examination.
Surprisingly, the research conducted by these scientists, including Harvey, found no distinct differences between Einstein’s brain and those of other men of a similar age. Harvey kept most of the brain in his personal collection, a decision that led to public controversy, resulting in the loss of his career and the dissolution of his marriage.
Subsequent studies conducted by other U.S. scientists in the 1980s revealed that Einstein’s brain contained more glial cells than the average person. However, it remains uncertain whether this contributed to his remarkable intelligence. In the 1990s, further discoveries showed that the cells in Einstein’s frontal lobe were packed more densely.
Later studies in the late 2000s revealed considerable differences between Einstein’s brain and those of others. However, these findings have faced heavy criticism for making claims based on limited research of a broader range of brain structures.
The brain slices Harvey kept were eventually transferred to the University Medical Center of Princeton. These specimens are not displayed to the public and are only accessible to researchers who meet a strict selection process. However, samples of Einstein’s brain mounted on glass slides can be viewed by the public at the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia.
2. The Elephant ManUnited Kingdom
Joseph Merrick, famously known as the 'Elephant Man,' was a Victorian man affected by Proteus syndrome, a condition that severely distorted his skeleton. He became a figure of legend in both British and global culture, inspiring several films and documentaries about his life, condition, and the way he was treated by the public.
Merrick spent time in a workhouse, where impoverished individuals performed basic tasks in return for minimal compensation and lodging. In 1884, he was then taken in by a traveling freak show.
In this show, he was billed as the 'Elephant Man,' described as part human, part beast. While such entertainment was common and widely accepted at the time, Merrick felt deep shame about his appearance and disliked the way he was viewed by others.
Merrick was later invited to live at the London Hospital under the care of Dr. Frederick Treves, with a public fund set up to cover his living expenses. This arrangement allowed Merrick to escape public scrutiny, live comfortably, and have his condition studied by medical professionals. After his death, casts were made of his body, his skin samples were taken, and his skeleton was preserved and put on display.
Despite rumors that Merrick requested a Christian burial after scientists completed their research on his remains, his body still resides on display in a glass case at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. Although the remains are not generally open to the public, medical students and doctors of medical science are allowed to visit the hospital and view the skeleton.
Photographs of Merrick’s skeleton have been made public, eliciting a range of responses. While medical professionals and researchers believe there is still much to be discovered by studying his remains, some argue that it has been displayed for long enough and deserves a respectful burial.
1. Vladimir Lenin, Russia
Vladimir Lenin, the inaugural leader of Soviet Russia, requested that his body be embalmed after his death. His preserved remains are now on public display in a glass coffin located within a mausoleum by the Kremlin in Moscow's Red Square. Entrance is free, and visitors come from around the world to view the face of the man who played a pivotal role in spreading and advocating for modern communism.
Lenin’s body has been on display since 1924, undergoing an intricate process of bathing, re-embalming, and strict temperature control to maintain its preservation. Initially, there were no plans to keep his body on display for over 90 years. However, after a remarkable number of visitors came to see Lenin lying in state shortly after his death, the government at the time decided to make his preservation permanent for public viewing.
Up to 200 scientists have been involved in maintaining Lenin’s body at various points, although his internal organs were removed during the initial autopsy. Some of these, like his brain, were studied and are still stored at the Neurology Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The scientists responsible for preserving Lenin’s body, as well as those working on other prominent leaders who chose to be embalmed, are prohibited from discussing their work or giving public interviews. This secrecy is enforced by the Russian state secrets law, which has only been applicable in recent years.
Lenin’s remains are a source of ongoing controversy for many reasons. The proposed destruction of the museum after the fall of the Soviet Union faced strong opposition from Lenin’s supporters, who deemed the act sacrilegious.
Others take issue with the site, which they feel venerates a leader who is responsible for significant harm in Russia’s history. The question of whether to bury Lenin’s remains and cease the ongoing preservation process remains a subject of heated debate.
