The Growing Trade in Mummified Human Remains and Its Health Hazards

Researchers have documented a rising, often illicit, market for centuries-old human body parts—including isolated hands, feet, and whole heads—sold through social-media platforms, personal websites, e-commerce sites and auction houses. Sellers typically provide no safety guidance and rely on postal and courier services to ship the items, exposing a broad range of workers to the consignments.

The Guardian

An analysis of 128 online listings identified that 51.6 % of the items were heads or skulls, many showing clear signs of biodeterioration. The authors of the peer-reviewed paper *The Real Mummy’s Curse: Health Risks Associated With the Sale and Trade of Mummified Remains* (International Journal of Cultural Property, Cambridge University Press) note that mummification historically employs toxic substances such as arsenic, mercury and lead. Despite desiccation, dormant fungal spores—particularly *Aspergillus*—can survive for centuries and become airborne when the remains are moved or disturbed. The study warns that postal workers, drivers, warehouse staff and customs officials are unlikely to wear appropriate personal protective equipment when initially handling these consignments.

The Guardian

The researchers cite two historical incidents that illustrate the potential severity of exposure. In the 1970s, inhalation of *Aspergillus* spores was blamed for the deaths of ten of twelve conservation scientists who opened the tomb of King Casimir IV of Kraków. An attributed claim also links a severe form of aspergillosis to the 1923 death of Lord Carnarvon, the financier of Howard Carter’s excavation of Tutankhamun’s tomb, suggesting a possible medical component to the famed “mummy’s curse.”

The Guardian

Kirsty Squires, professor of human bioarchaeology at the University of Staffordshire and co-author of the study, emphasizes that many traders appear unaware of the dangers. She observes that some listings show remains exposed to ambient air in domestic settings without protective cases or temperature control, conditions that could facilitate the release of hazardous spores.

The Guardian

The authors argue that the unchecked circulation of mummified remains poses a tangible risk to postal and logistics personnel, as well as to the general public who may acquire such items. They call for greater awareness, safety guidelines and regulatory oversight to mitigate the spread of dormant microorganisms and toxic residues embedded in these antiquities.

The Guardian