Thousands of ancient brains survived for 12,000 years; scientists uncover why

Representative Image (Canva) The human brain is one of the first organs to break down after death, making the discovery of preserved brains at archaeological sites particularly puzzling. Yet thousands of ancient human brains have survived long after other soft tissues disappeared, sometimes remaining as the only preserved soft tissue in otherwise skeletonised remains. New research now offers a molecular explanation for this unusual form of preservation, pointing to the chemistry created when brains are buried in wet, oxygen-poor environments. The findings come from a study published in the Journal of Proteome Research by researchers including Alexandra Morton-Hayward of the University of Oxford. The new study found that oxygen availability plays a major role in determining what happens to brain proteins after death. By studying the breakdown of mouse brains under different burial conditions, the researchers identified chemical and structural features that help certain brain proteins survive.A long-standing archaeological mysteryScientists have known for years that ancient brains can sometimes survive for remarkably long periods. The researchers note that more than 4,400 human brain...