In a remarkable discovery, archaeologists unearthed the remains of a man from the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 CE, revealing a brain that had turned into glass. This is the first known instance of a brain vitrifying, with scientists even identifying neurons within the glass. The find occurred at Herculaneum, where only a quarter of the site has been excavated, leaving open the possibility of more such discoveries. The excavation of archaeological sites poses a dilemma: while digging can reveal invaluable information, it also risks damaging artifacts. Modern approaches aim to minimize destruction, focusing on specific research questions. For example, DNA analysis, which has advanced significantly, often requires the destruction of samples. Today, geneticists can sequence DNA from extinct animals and analyze environmental DNA to reconstruct past ecosystems. However, the handling of ancient remains has evolved; now, researchers like Matteo Borrini ensure minimal alteration when studying skeletal collections, which include around 1,000 medieval and Victorian Britons.
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