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Oldest-Known Human Brain Discovered

Posted by timothy on from the does-not-belong-to-hans-delbrueck dept.

Smivs writes "The BBC report that archaeologists have found what could be Britain's oldest surviving human brain. The team, excavating a York University site, discovered a skull containing a yellow substance which scans showed to be shrunken, but brain-shaped. Brains consist of fatty tissue which microbes in the soil would absorb, so neurologists believe the find could be some kind of fossilised brain. More tests will now be done to establish what it is actually made of. The skull was discovered during an exploratory dig at Heslington Eastin, an area of extensive prehistoric farming landscape of fields, trackways and buildings dating back to at least 300 BC."

8 of 74 comments (clear)

  1. Oldest *surviving* human brain!? by danieltdp · · Score: 5, Funny

    What the heck? The brain isn't *dead*!?!?!?

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    1. Re:Oldest *surviving* human brain!? by MilesAttacca · · Score: 4, Funny

      Researchers could not be reached for further comments regarding the possibility of a zombie outbreak.

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      98% of America's teens drink alcohol, smoke, and have sex. Put this in your sig if you like bagels.
    2. Re:Oldest *surviving* human brain!? by dkleinsc · · Score: 5, Funny

      Well, it's at least revivable.

      The problem is that it belonged to some fellow named Ab Normal.

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      I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
    3. Re:Oldest *surviving* human brain!? by neomunk · · Score: 4, Funny

      And I always thought that meant they were hungry... Turns out that they, like O.J., just wanted their property back.

  2. Re:Thanks by danieltdp · · Score: 4, Funny

    That explains a lot. They found Anonymous Coward's brain!

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  3. its not fossilized brain by circletimessquare · · Score: 4, Funny

    its fruitcake

    its hard to tell the difference without a good sniff

    and besides, if you wanted to make sure it wasn't trotted out again for another christmas, wouldn't you hide it some place disageeable and avoidable like a skull too?

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    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  4. Ritual Offering by aquatone282 · · Score: 4, Funny

    FTFA:

    The archaeologists believe the skull, which was found on its own in a muddy pit, may have been a ritual offering.

    Perhaps we should do the same for our U.S. banking and automotive executives who can't manage their companies properly.

    Instead of a multi-million dollar golden parachute we take their heads and throw them into the nearest bog.

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    What?
  5. Re:Prehistoric? by aproposofwhat · · Score: 5, Informative

    it is in the UK - writing was very uncommon until the Romans came and 'civilised' us.

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    One swallow does not a fellatrix make