An Experimental Assessment of the Cause of Mummification in the Joseon Period Burials, Republic of Korea
An Experimental Assessment of the Cause of Mummification in the Joseon Period Burials, Republic of Korea
DOI: 10.17746/1563-0110.2018.46.1.117-122
Chang Seok Oh1, In Uk Kang2, Jong Ha Hong1, Jun Bum Park3, and Dong Hoon Shin1 1Institute of Forensic Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro (Yongon-dong), Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea 2Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea 3Sangmyung University Seoul Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation, 20 Hongimun 2-Gil, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03016, Republic of Korea
This article presents the results of experiments aimed at testing the hypothesis that the mummification of human bodies in Joseon Dynasty burials was caused by an exothermic reaction and the consequent destruction of intestinal flora. Well-preserved mummies of that period were discovered only in the Hoegwakmyo tombs, where the lime-soilmixture barrier was present. Experiments were conducted using animals’ bodies placed in miniature grave models. Immediately after contact with moisture, the temperature inside the coffin surrounded by a lime-soil-mixture increased to 130.8±23.5°C and remained stable for 141.0±64.7 minutes. The examination of bacterial cultures on MacConkey or blood agar plates showed that the entire fl ora normally existing in the rat’s intestine was completely sterilized by high temperature. We also demonstrate that the same mummification can be reproduced regardless of the sizes of miniature graves.
