In a groundbreaking revelation challenging conventional wisdom, scientists have uncovered an extraordinary archive of over 4,400 human brains preserved in remarkable condition within the archaeological record. Contrary to the belief that brains rapidly decay after death, these findings demonstrate an unexpected level of preservation, with some specimens dating back as far as 12,000 years.
Led by Alexandra Morton-Hayward from Oxford University, researchers conducted a global survey of archaeological records, revealing the presence of these preserved brains across diverse environments, from Egyptian deserts to European peat bogs.
Published in the esteemed journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, the research marks a significant milestone in understanding the longevity and resilience of brain tissue post-mortem.
The discovery challenges the notion that brains are among the first organs to deteriorate after death and underscores their potential as invaluable sources of information about our evolutionary history and past diseases.
According to the authors, this unprecedented archive serves as a crucial foundation for further investigation into ancient brains, offering insights into neurological disorders, ancient cognition and behavior, and the evolution of nervous tissues and their functions.
“Ancient brains may provide new and unique paleobiological insights, helping us to better understand the history of major neurological disorders, ancient cognition and behavior, and the evolution of nervous tissues and their functions,” the authors state in their paper.
The significance of this discovery lies in the rarity of soft tissue preservation under natural conditions, presenting a rare opportunity to analyze ancient biomolecules and gain profound insights into the lives and deaths of our ancestors.
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