Scientific tests have revealed that an ancient Buddhist statue contains a 1,000-year – old mummified monk’s perfectly preserved remains in what is thought to be the only such example in the world.
The monk, who is sitting in the lotus position, is thought to have starved himself to death in an act of extreme spiritual devotion in China or Tibet in the 10th century. His preserved remains were displayed in his monastery.
The unusual contents of the statue were discovered in the 1990s when the statue underwent restoration
Some 200 years later, perhaps after his remains started to deteriorate, his mummified body was placed inside the elaborate, lacquered statue of Buddha.
The unusual contents of the statue were discovered in the 1990s when the statue underwent restoration. Experts were unable to remove the mummy due to the risk of disintegration, so they could do little more than peer into the darkened cavity of the Buddha.
Now, an international team of German, Dutch and Italian scientists has conducted a CAT scan which revealed the monk’s skeleton in perfect detail.
“It was not uncommon for monks to practise self-mummification but to find a mummified monk inside a statue is really extraordinary,” said Wilfrid Rosendahl, a German palaeontologist who led the research.
“It’s the only known example in the world.”Using a CAT scan, we saw that there was a perfectly preserved body with skin and muscles inside the statue. It’s a complete mummy, not just a skeleton. He was aged between 30 and 50.”
The mummy has been studied by an interdisciplinary team of experts, including radio carbon dating specialists and textile analysts, at the Meander Medical Centre in Amersfoort, the Netherlands.
Using an endoscope, experts took samples from inside the mummy’s thoracic and abdominal cavities and discovered that the monk’s organs had been removed and replaced with ancient wads of paper printed with Chinese characters.
The scientists have conducted a CAT scan which revealed the monk’s skeleton in perfect detail.
Samples of bone were also taken for DNA testing. The Buddha statue was bought several decades ago on the art market by a Dutch private collector, who had no idea that the mummy was hidden inside. It will go on display in museums around Europe, and is currently in the Natural History Museum in Budapest.” The monk died in a process of self-mummification,” said Dr. Rosendahl.
It was not uncommon for monks to practise self-mummification but to find a mummified monk inside a statue is really extraordinary,” said Wilfrid Rosendahl
During the last weeks, he would have started eating less food and drinking only water. Eventually, he would have gone into a trance, stopped breathing and died.
He basically starved himself to death.”The other monks would have put him close to a fire to dry him out and put him on display in the monastery, we think somewhere in China or Tibet.”
He was probably sitting for 200 years in the monastery and the monks then realized that he needed a bit of support and preservation so they put him inside the statue.”Mummified monks were not only the focus of religious devotion but important for the economy of the monastery because they attracted pilgrims who would offer donations.
The mummy has been studied by an interdisciplinary team of experts, including radio carbon dating specialists and textile analysts, at the Meander Medical Centre in Amersfoort, the Netherlands.
News
“Lawyers demanded to see her book in advance”: ‘The Batman’ Star is Worried About Ex-lover Britney Spears’ Bombshell Confessions in Her Memoir
Pop star Britney Spears is controversy’s child. Following a successful career as a singing superstar who influenced a whole generation of bold young girls, Spears hit many…
“I just want to hug you right now”: Awkward Segment With Britney Spears Came Back to Haunt James Corden Thanks to His Rival Late Night Host Jimmy Kimmel
Jimmy Kimmel recalled James Corden’s awkward segment with Britney Spears, and humiliated him. Although The Late Late Show with James Corden came to its end, the talk show and…
Ryan Gosling Blamed Himself for Enabling Britney Spears’ Overtly S*xual Nature: “I feel somewhat responsible”
It is no secret that Ryan Gosling and Britney Spears knew each other long before their fame. As kids, Gosling along with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and…
Jessica Simpson Accepts Reality Of Always Living In Britney Spears’ Shadow Despite Being An Icon Herself
While she may be one of the biggest stars of the early 2000s, Jessica Simpson has learnt to live in the shadow of Britney Spears. Since major…
“I was comatose in Louisiana”: Britney Spears Ruthlessly Decimates Ex Justin Timberlake After Exposing Him as a Nefarious Serial Cheater
Britney Spears reportedly revealed dark tales from her life in her new book Britney Spears was a pop phenomenon back in the day, being one of the…
“Where the f—k’s the family?”: Britney Spears’ First Husband Wreaked Havoc on Her Wedding Day as He Believed The Relationship Was Fake
Britney Spears has been in the limelight since her teens by appearing in several tv shows. In addition, her terrific music career that mesmerized millions of hearts…
End of content
No more pages to load