A man who died in a volcanic eruption nearly 2,000 years ago had his brain turned into glass. This rare event happened in Herculaneum in 79 CE. Scientists studied his remains and found evidence of human brain remains transformed into organic glass at high temperatures. This has never been seen before. They used different techniques like scanning electron microscopy to study the glass samples. The brain had to be heated to at least 510 degrees Celsius and then cooled quickly. This happened when a super-heated ash cloud spread out from the volcano and caught the man. The ash cloud reached temperatures higher than 510 degrees, vitrifying his brain without destroying it completely. This unique event has left evidence buried under the ash in Herculaneum. The researchers published their findings in Scientific Reports.
Vocabulary List:
- Eruption /ɪˈrʌp.ʃən/ (noun): The act of erupting or bursting forth especially of a volcano.
- Vitrifying /ˈvɪt.rɪ.faɪ.ɪŋ/ (verb): The process of turning into glass or a glass-like substance.
- Organic /ɔːrˈɡæn.ɪk/ (adjective): Relating to or derived from living matter.
- Microscopy /maɪˈkrɒs.kə.pi/ (noun): The use of a microscope to view small objects.
- Evident /ˈɛvɪdənt/ (adjective): Clear to the sight or mind; obvious.
- Transform /trænsˈfɔːrm/ (verb): To change in form appearance or structure.
How much do you know?
