Renowned French pathologist Philippe Charlier, who has previously studied the remains of historical figures such as Hitler and Descartes, is now turning his attention to a mummified body discovered in Ecuador in 1949. The well-preserved remains of a 16th-century friar, found between the walls of a convent alongside a mummified rat, are being reanalyzed by Dr. Charlier. This examination aims to shed light on the history of diseases, as the friar’s bones show traces of rheumatoid arthritis.
Unveiling the Mysterious Mummy
The mummy, discovered in the town of Guano, Ecuador, was concealed within a jar burial, a practice where the corpse is placed inside a large earthenware pot before burial. The devastating earthquake of 1949 caused the walls of the old church Asunsion de Guano to collapse, revealing the hidden resting place of this enigmatic ancient figure. The unique positioning within a cold and dry environment protected the mummy from decay, providing an opportunity for the preservation of important clues.
Dr. Charlier recognizes the exceptional value of this mummy in unraveling the history of diseases. The specific rheumatoid polyarthritis found in the monk’s joints, native to the American continent, piqued his interest. He believes that understanding the origins of this disease, which was initially confined to the Americas before becoming a global affliction, can shed light on the interplay between different cultures and the process of hybridization.
Insights and Questions
The mummy of Guano represents an atypical burial due to its distinctive discovery and the absence of Christian elements typically associated with such burials. Research has yet to determine the exact date of the friar’s death, but it is likely attributed to a chin fistula that developed into an abscess or sepsis. To further understand the mummy’s identity and provide additional insights, investigations into the records of the Franciscan order are ongoing.
Carbon dating techniques, radiographs, and endoscopies have assisted scientists in estimating the mummy’s age to be between 85 and 90 years old. During Dr. Charlier’s two-day examination, bone and dry tissue samples were collected for genetic analysis and carbon-14 dating, which will offer further clues about the disease’s origins.
The Curiosity of the Pathologist
Dr. Charlier’s fascination with studying the deceased stems from the wealth of knowledge they can impart. For him, the importance lies not in death itself but in the stories that the dead can tell. Through meticulous examination and scientific analysis, these ancient remains provide valuable insights into the history of diseases and the interconnections between different civilizations.
The mummified body of a 16th-century friar from Ecuador, now under the scrutiny of pathologist Philippe Charlier, offers a unique opportunity to delve into the history of diseases. This well-preserved relic, discovered within a jar burial, reflects the extraordinary preservation techniques of the past and holds the key to unraveling the origins and global spread of rheumatoid arthritis. As the examination continues, it is hoped that this ancient friar’s remains will provide valuable insights into the interplay between cultures and the progression of diseases throughout history.
