In a remarkable discovery, an ancient salt mine in Iran has naturally preserved the bodies of miners for thousands of years, mummified in a grisly state. Known as the “Saltmen,” these corpses were found in the Chehrabad salt mine, near the village of Manzelou in northwest Iran. The bodies come from various time periods, with the oldest dating back to 9550 BCE, more than 10,000 years ago.
The first of these mummified miners was unearthed accidentally in 1993, complete with a long white beard, a gold earring, and iron knives. This Saltman, believed to have died around 300 CE, was found deep inside a 148-foot tunnel, still wearing a leather boot and traces of woolen trousers. The discovery was followed by more bodies six in total by 2010, including that of a 16-year-old boy whose arms were raised, suggesting a sudden death from a mining collapse.
The salt surrounding these bodies preserved them remarkably well, preventing decomposition due to the lack of oxygen. The miners likely died in collapses, as the fractures found in their bones indicate. The fifth Saltman was so well-preserved that scientists could examine his internal organs, revealing tapeworm eggs, evidence that the miners consumed raw or undercooked meat.
Detached body parts and signs of more miners yet to be discovered suggest that there could be additional “Saltmen” still hidden within the mine, though the exact number and cause of their deaths remain mysteries.
This discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient life and death, revealing not only the dangers of early mining but also the rich history preserved beneath Iran’s salt mines.
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