The Church of the Holy Spirit in Vilnius Holds Secrets of Mummies

Better Knowledge for modern medicine has been discovered by anthropologist Dario Poimbino-Mascali. It was researched over remains of 23 preserved people. The undercroft of the Dominican Church of the Holy Spirit located in Vilnius holds a vivid history. The coffins are hidden in the dark den under the church’s altar which stripped Napoleon’s army for wood.

It was used as makeshift bomb shelter by Nazis during the Second World War. During that time, the local overlords, the Soviets changed this undercroft into a museum of atheism. Dario is trying to pries out the secrets of its ghostly inhabitants. These inhabitants included 23 men, women and children who died in the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries. Their remains were mummified by the crypt’s cool temperature and gentle ventilation.

The bones are still covered with flesh, their skin is covered with clothes and organs remained in their chests. The diseases that killed these people will help modern medicine to get new lessons.

By: Bhavna Sharma

Content: www.theguardian.com