The phenomenon of uncorrupted bodies, despite being dead for hundreds of years, remains a significant mystery for scientists.
>>> Famous Mummies Around the World
Whether you believe in an afterlife or the existence of the soul, one thing is certain: human bodies and living organisms undergo significant changes after death.
We know that when the basic functions of life, such as circulation and metabolism, cease to operate, the body begins to deteriorate: the skin shrinks and peels, the eyeballs dissolve, hair falls out, and eventually, only bones remain.
Moreover, this process is accelerated by maggots and various types of bacteria, leading to decomposition as the body quickly returns to Mother Earth. However, there are many mysterious cases where bodies do not decompose even after being buried for several decades or even hundreds of years…
What is an “Incorruptible Body”?
Most people will “return to dust” through the decomposition process mentioned above; however, records in many religions refer to instances where certain bodies seem to resist decomposition.
For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church believed that devout and pure believers would have bodies that resist time and natural decay in their graves. They are said to be “incorruptible bodies.”
“Incorruptible bodies” are defined as those that cannot decay or decompose under any weather conditions. Many believe that only those with holiness and virtue possess the ability and quality to have an “incorruptible body.”
It may sound unbelievable, but many churches around the world display these “incorruptible bodies.” While some bodies have begun to decompose, others have remarkably well-preserved remains after centuries. So, how can a body be “incorruptible” like that?
Is it a Mummification Technique?
Since ancient times, humans have employed various methods to preserve the bodies of the dead, the most notable being the mummification techniques of the Egyptians. Organs would be removed from the body and then packed with natural herbs to prevent decay.
Afterward, the body would be “embalmed” in oils and finally wrapped in linen. Generally, only royal family members were mummified. Today, many royal mummies are still well-preserved after thousands of years and can be found in various locations worldwide.
Pharaohs and royalty had the privilege of mummification
However, not everyone knows that mummies can be formed entirely “by chance.” In the 19th century, a unique custom emerged in Mexico where families were required to keep the bodies of the deceased for five years before cremation.
In 1865, the first bodies excavated in Guanajuato astonished many as all the remains were intact and showed no signs of decay—almost as if they had been “mummified.”
The cause was identified as the salty, dry soil of the cemetery, which absorbed moisture and inhibited the decomposition process. Samples of this soil are still displayed in museums within the city.
Another case of a body “turning into a mummy” is that of Tollund Man, a prehistoric individual dating back around 2,000 years. He was hanged in Denmark and later fell into a peat bog, where his body was preserved almost perfectly until its discovery in 1950. Remarkably, even his hair and beard remained intact.
Science Steps In
The cases of “incorruptible bodies” mentioned above have been studied by scientists who have identified their causes. However, there are instances of “incorruptible bodies” that leave many scientists puzzled and unable to explain.
Typically, mummies found are in a “petrified” state, but “incorruptible bodies” are often quite… soft. Although these corpses are in normal conditions and show no signs of mummification, the skin remains elastic, even after decades or centuries have passed.
They appear as if they are merely sleeping or have just died. Strangely, nearby buried corpses undergo normal decay processes, often at a very rapid rate.
One of the most famous “incorruptible” cases is that of Saint Bernadette, who passed away at the age of 35 but became renowned among the faithful for having witnessed “Our Lady Mary.”
The body of Saint John Vianney still wears a wax mask in a glass case
Saint Bernadette died in 1879 and was exhumed in 1909; however, her body showed no signs of decay. She was reburied and then exhumed again in 1923.
The body of Saint Bernadette
After the third exhumation, her body was examined, revealing that even the internal organs were intact and relatively soft, remaining pliable. Her hands and face appeared very lifelike, but this was due to being covered in wax. Beneath the wax layer, the skin had turned brown.
Although science has yet to explain why these bodies can be preserved “superbly” without mummification or environmental influence, scientists believe that the bodies will ultimately decompose; it’s a matter of time. Currently, Saint Bernadette is on display at the Saint Gildard Church in Nevers, France.
