Mummified Remains: Hidden Dangers Emerge from Online Sales

An analysis of social media posts and online auction listings suggests that individuals buying or shipping mummified remains face significant health risks. Researchers from universities in the UK, Lithuania, Italy, and Australia found that poor storage and transport conditions can expose people to toxic substances and fungal spores—though the study relies on visual inspection of photographs rather than laboratory testing. Methodology and Sample Composition The researchers conducted a data analysis of open-source materials from social networks, internet stores, and auction platforms. The sample included 128 publications posted between 2015 and 2025. Of these, 122 focused on human remains and six on animal remains. Some data were drawn from a private archive maintained by one of the authors since 2014. The study focused on the visual state of the objects and how they were handled. Because the team had no physical access to the specimens, they could not identify specific bacteria or fungi; instead, they documented external signs of tissue degradation.