AN EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CAUSE OF MUMMIFI CATION IN THE JOSEON PERIOD BURIALS, REPUBLIC OF KOREA

This article presents the results of experiments aimed at testing the hypotheses that mummifi cation of human bodies in Joseon Dynasty burials was caused by an exothermic reaction and subsequent destruction of intestinal microfl ora. Well-preserved mummies of that period were discovered only in the Hoegwakmyo tombs, where the lime-soil-mixture barrier was present. Experiments were conducted using animal bodies placed in miniature grave models. Immediately after contact with moisture, the temperature inside the coffi n 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 intestine was completely sterilized by high temperature. We also demonstrate that the same mummifi cation can be reproduced regardless of the sizes of miniature graves.

Korea, mummies, Joseon, experiment, animals, lime-soil mixture, Hoegwakmyo

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