In 1994, archaeologists made a remarkable discovery beneath a Dominican church in the town of Vác, Pest County, Hungary. They uncovered several coffins containing remarkably well-preserved corpses. Among them, two mummies drew the attention of the archaeologists. These mummies belonged to a 38-year-old mother named Veronica Skripetz and her 1-year-old son, Johannes Orlovits.
After a period of time, in April 2016, doctors at the Global Medical Center in Santa Ana, California, conducted a forensic examination on the mummified remains of the mother and child. The purpose of this examination was to gain insights into their lives during that era and determine the cause of their deaths.
The truth about the agonizing deaths
“Now, we can uncover the answers about their lives and explain why many children died in their infancy. They didn’t have antibiotics and vaccines. The mortality rate among children was very high,” said Ildiko Szikossy, an anthropologist from Hungary.
This means that thousands of children had to endure pain and loss of life due to diseases without antibiotics or vaccines. Johannes Orlovits was one of them.
The 300-year-old mummified bodies of a mother and child were found in the church’s crypt, revealing the truth about the suffering of countless children in the past – Photo 2.
After transporting the mummified bodies over a distance of more than 9,000 km, scientists used modern computed tomography (CT) scanning techniques for analysis.
“The mother’s appearance is almost intact from top to bottom, while the child has some fragmented small bones. We really didn’t know what we would find. It’s like unveiling a curtain of surprises. The mother seems to have died of tuberculosis, but the CT results will reveal more details,” shared Dr. Jim Sutherland, a CT research expert.
Unexpected Findings
After a month of research, scientists reached surprising conclusions regarding the agonizing deaths of Veronica Skripetz and Johannes Orlovits. It was determined that Veronica Skripetz died from tuberculosis in 1808, while her 1-year-old son, Johannes Orlovits, succumbed to dysentery. Veronica Skripetz had three children, none of whom lived past the age of 2.
The mummified remains of the mother and child were exhibited at the Bowers Museum until September 5, 2016, as part of the “Mummies of the World” program. It is unclear where they are currently located. Previously, in 2010, a CT scan was performed on the mummy of a man named Michael Orlovits, Veronica Skripetz’s first husband, who died in 1806. His mummy was also featured in the exhibition at the Bowers Museum.
These three mummies were part of over 250 mummified bodies found in a secret crypt beneath the Dominican Church in the town of Vác, Hungary. The individuals were interred between the 1700s and 1800s.
For a long time, the crypt remained hidden and forgotten. However, in 1994, during repair work at the church, the bodies were discovered. The mummies were remarkably well-preserved due to a continuous supply of dry and cool air.
Remarkable Mummy Discoveries: Unveiling Surprising Insights
“When they opened the coffins, everyone was astonished because the hair, skin, and clothing of the deceased were still intact,” said Dr. Linda Sutherland, the lead researcher. “Usually, when you open a coffin, you only see the skeletal remains, and the soft tissues are completely decomposed.”
The church records and inscriptions on the coffins aided researchers in easily identifying names, birth and death dates, marriages, and baptismal ceremonies of the mummies. They even determined the occupations of the deceased.
Following the discovery of the mummies, Hungarian researchers analyzed Veronica Skripetz’s lung tissue, confirming that she had suffered from tuberculosis. The CT scan confirmed this, as scars were visible in her lungs. It also revealed Veronica’s emaciated condition, indicating that she may have been ill for some time before her death. She passed away at the age of 38, just two years after Michael Orlovits’ death and one year after her second marriage.
Johannes Orlovits, the young boy, was born in 1800 and died a year later. The CT scan showed that Johannes Orlovits was a well-nourished child with chubby legs and a plump appearance.
Dr. Linda Sutherland remarked, “The boy appears to have had no chronic illnesses or broken bones. Therefore, he may have died suddenly. His intestines were relatively clean, with no signs of the bacteria that aid in digestion. Dysentery could be a culprit. Without modern treatments like intravenous rehydration, dysentery could be fatal during that time.”
The findings from these examinations shed light on the painful deaths suffered by Veronica Skripetz and Johannes Orlovits, providing valuable insights into their lives and the health challenges they faced during that era.
In conclusion, the remarkable discovery of the 300-year-old mummified remains of Veronica Skripetz and her son, Johannes Orlovits, in the church crypt has unveiled valuable insights into their lives. The well-preserved condition of the mummies, supported by the church records, has provided a glimpse into the challenges faced by children during that time. Veronica’s tuberculosis diagnosis highlights the prevalence of such diseases, while Johannes’ sudden death from possible dysentery speaks to the harsh realities endured by many children of that era. These findings offer a poignant reminder of the hardships faced by past generations.
