Friday, 10 Oct 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • 🔥
  • Trump
  • VIDEO
  • House
  • White
  • ScienceAlert
  • Trumps
  • Watch
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > Tech and Science > Mount Vesuvius turned this ancient brain into glass. Here’s how
Tech and Science

Mount Vesuvius turned this ancient brain into glass. Here’s how

Last updated: February 28, 2025 4:52 am
Share
Mount Vesuvius turned this ancient brain into glass. Here’s how
SHARE

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 is a well-known event that resulted in the entombment of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. While Pompeii is more commonly associated with this disaster, Herculaneum also holds its own intriguing discoveries. One such find is the preserved skeleton of a young man found lying in bed, with surprising remnants of glass inside his brain.

Upon closer inspection of the glassy samples, researchers identified what appeared to be nerve cells. A recent study sheds more light on the formation of this glass within the brain tissue, providing insights into the intriguing phenomenon. The findings of this study were published in Scientific Reports on February 27.

Glass is typically formed when a liquid, often molten sand, cools rapidly. This natural process is commonly used in manufacturing windows and glassware. However, the discovery of glassy remnants within biological soft tissues, such as the brain, is a unique occurrence. Prior to this discovery, such glassy formations had not been observed in nature.

Guido Giordano, a geologist and volcanologist at Roma Tre University, expressed astonishment at the discovery of the glassy brain remnants. The research team utilized a technique called differential scanning calorimetry to determine the temperature at which the glass had formed. The analysis revealed that the glassy brain shards underwent structural changes at temperatures exceeding 510°C (950°F), indicating the temperature at which the brain tissue was originally transformed into glass.

The researchers concluded that the swift arrival of a hot volcanic ash cloud, rock, and gas that engulfed Herculaneum could not have been solely responsible for the formation of glass within the brain tissue. The intense heat of pyroclastic flows, which typically reach temperatures of 465°C, would not have cooled rapidly enough to turn brain tissue into glass. Instead, it is believed that a much hotter ash cloud struck the young man, dissipated quickly, and allowed for rapid cooling, resulting in the glass formation within the brain. Subsequently, the remains were buried under thick volcanic debris.

See also  Protein signatures may one day tell brain diseases apart before symptoms

The researchers also proposed that the young man’s skull may have played a crucial role in preventing the complete disintegration of his brain tissue in the extreme heat. The protective nature of the skull may have shielded the brain from direct contact with the ash cloud, preserving it in a glassy state.

This remarkable discovery challenges our understanding of natural processes and offers valuable insights into the unique preservation of biological tissues in extreme conditions. The study opens up new avenues for research into the formation of glass within organic matter and highlights the fascinating discoveries waiting to be unearthed in the ancient ruins of Herculaneum.

TAGGED:AncientbrainGlassHeresMountturnedVesuvius
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia takes wraps off his first assignment for DOGE Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia takes wraps off his first assignment for DOGE
Next Article The Trump Administration’s Deletion of Environmental Justice Data Does Real Harm The Trump Administration’s Deletion of Environmental Justice Data Does Real Harm
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

LOL: Pete Hegseth ANNIHILATES Fake News Reporter | Elijah Schaffer’s Top 5 (VIDEO) |

Welcome to ’s Week-in-Review with Elijah Schaffer, where he covers the top 5 stories throughout…

December 13, 2024

Trump’s Drug Price Order Is More Bluster Than Substance

President Trump signed an executive order this week aimed at reducing drug prices by 30%…

May 14, 2025

CDC hepatitis lab closes through RIF, imperiling outbreak response

This survey collects health information from a random sample of Americans, and the CDC lab…

April 14, 2025

AI chip startup Groq secures $1.5 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia

Semiconductor startup Groq has announced a major milestone in its expansion plans, securing a $1.5…

February 10, 2025

Trump Threatens to Boot Homeless People After Seeing Them On Golf Trip

Trump Orders Federal Law Enforcement to D.C., Deploys National Guard Reports have surfaced that the…

August 11, 2025

You Might Also Like

Want to See the Best Fall Colors This Year? Science Has the Answer
Tech and Science

Want to See the Best Fall Colors This Year? Science Has the Answer

October 10, 2025
Reviewed: The mid-range Galaxy S25 FE is flawed in all the right ways
Tech and Science

Reviewed: The mid-range Galaxy S25 FE is flawed in all the right ways

October 10, 2025
Serum based on plant extracts boosts hair growth in weeks
Tech and Science

Serum based on plant extracts boosts hair growth in weeks

October 10, 2025
Why Ridley Scott’s views on Hollywood are total nonsense
Tech and Science

Why Ridley Scott’s views on Hollywood are total nonsense

October 10, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?