Approximately 2,600 years ago, during the era when humans were forging steel and crafting weaponry, a man faced a grim fate—his head was severed. In a twist reminiscent of the real-life Iron Age counterpart to Ned Stark, his decapitated skull found its resting place in clay-rich mud. It lay undisturbed until 2008 when researchers from the York Archaeological Trust unearthed this intriguing discovery in Heslington, a suburban village near present-day York, England.
Regarded as the oldest preserved brain ever discovered in Eurasia, it stands out as perhaps the best-preserved ancient brain overall. A recent study published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface sheds light on why it has endured the test of time.
Over the past decade, scientists have delved into understanding the unique factors that contributed to the remarkable preservation of the Heslington brain. The study highlights that, unlike any other brain from the Iron Age, this one has been found preserved without deliberate human intervention.
The mystery surrounding the Heslington brain’s remarkable preservation becomes clearer when considering the typical rapid breakdown of the human brain after death. Following death, a process called autolysis sets in, leading to the breakdown of tissues and organs. Given that the brain is 80 percent water, it is particularly susceptible, usually completely degraded within five to 10 years, according to research.
The Heslington brain’s exceptional condition, resembling a kind of “zombie-like” state, posed a perplexing puzzle to scientists, as most human brains don’t endure for decades, let alone millennia in the ground, without specific conditions like deliberate mummification or preservation in ice.
Through intricate molecular and statistical analyses, researchers unraveled the secret behind the Heslington brain’s endurance: protein clumping. Surprisingly, the brain preserved itself. Detailed examination revealed that specific proteins supporting the structure of nerve and brain cells, such as neurons and astrocytes, were closely clustered in the brain tissue. This protein aggregation played a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the brain tissue over time, slowing down the natural decomposition process.
In a surprising twist, the researchers discovered that the neural proteins in the Heslington brain were more stable compared to those in modern-day brains. The stability of proteins serves as an indirect indicator of how effectively a protein is functioning, as explained by the researchers.
It’s noteworthy that protein aggregation is typically associated with brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. However, no evidence of these conditions was found in the ancient brain.
While the specific trigger for this crucial clumping process remains uncertain, scientists speculate that it may be linked to the burial location and conditions of the skull.
The team’s findings hold the potential to inspire innovative preservation techniques for the human brain, both during life and after death. Quite a remarkable legacy for an ancient individual.
