Exceptionally Preserved 2,600-Year-Old Brain Found

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Exceptionally Preserved 2,600-Year-Old Brain Found

Posted by Soulskill on Friday August 17, 2012 @02:10AM from the fire-that-bad-boy-up dept.

TrueSatan writes with this quote from Discovery News: "A human skull dated to about 2,684 years ago with an 'exceptionally preserved' human brain still inside of it was recently discovered in a waterlogged U.K. pit, according to a new Journal of Archaeological Science study. The brain is the oldest known intact human brain from Europe and Asia, according to the authors, who also believe it's one of the best-preserved ancient brains in the world (PDF). 'The early Iron Age skull belonged to a man, probably in his thirties,' according to lead author Sonia O'Connor. 'Cause of death is rarely possible to determine in archaeological remains, but in this case, damage to the neck vertebrae is consistent with a hanging.'"

21 of 167 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Intact human brain? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-17 02:11 · Score: 5, Funny

"The brain is the oldest known intact human brain from Europe and Asia" – So I take it the brain still works?
1. Re:Intact human brain? by paiute · 2012-08-17 02:29 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Maybe after they transplant the brain in a brainless body, we'll find out why he was hanged in his time.
  Starring Christopher Lee and Vincent Price.
  
  --
  If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
2. Re:Intact human brain? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-17 02:43 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Quick, someone send it to the Houses of Parliament! An intact brain there will revolutionise our system of government!
3. Re:Intact human brain? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-17 03:15 · Score: 0, Funny
  
  And "idiot" comes from the greek word "idiotes" which means "private citizen". So I'm sure you're not offended if I call you an idiot.
4. Re:Intact human brain? by wonkey_monkey · 2012-08-17 03:16 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  If that doesn't scream mid-season replacement, I don't know what does!
  
  --
  systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
5. Re:Intact human brain? by ackthpt · 2012-08-17 03:16 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  "The brain is the oldest known intact human brain from Europe and Asia" – So I take it the brain still works?
  The card reads Abby Normal. Should be OK, what could go wrong?
  
  --
  
  A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
6. Re:Intact human brain? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-17 03:24 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Abby somebody.
7. Re:Intact human brain? by Crudely_Indecent · 2012-08-17 03:25 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  We know that he didn't weigh the same as a duck - those people were burned.
  
  --
  
  "Lame" - Galaxar
8. Re:Intact human brain? by Minwee · 2012-08-17 03:38 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Not only does it work, it is setting educational policy in Kentucky.
9. Re:Intact human brain? by cpu6502 · 2012-08-17 04:27 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  >>>>>Maybe after they transplant the brain in a brainless body, we'll find out why he was hanged in his time.
  >>
  >>Convicted of a crime he didn't commit, of course...
  Good luck trying to understand his ancient Celtic language when he speaks. I can just imagine a bunch of language professors mumbling, "I don't know what he's saying. He's not pronouncing the words properly. It sounds like Hillbilly Celtic."
  
  --
  My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
2,684 years ago??? by al3 · 2012-08-17 02:14 · Score: 5, Funny

But it's only 2012!
1. Re:2,684 years ago??? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-17 02:17 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Earth is 6000 years old, you silly.
2. Re:2,684 years ago??? by ccguy · 2012-08-17 02:21 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  But it's only 2012!
  I'll use an analogy to explain how this is possible. Imagine a game that is set in medieval times in which you are exploring castles 500 years old. The game is new, but the castles in it were old right from the start.
  
  God played the same trick with us. The universe is 6000 years old, but when it was created (when he inserted the CD, if it makes you feel more comfy) it already had extinct species, people that had been dead for a few centuries and so on.
  Clear now?
Abby someone by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-17 02:14 · Score: 2, Funny

Abby . . . Normal. I'm almost sure that was the name.
Re:Roughly 2684 years old? by ciderbrew · 2012-08-17 02:15 · Score: 5, Funny

Around the time he was hanged.
Zombie Apocalypse... by 25or6to4 · 2012-08-17 02:16 · Score: 5, Funny

Apparently the zombie apocalypse will last longer than expected if their food source stays preserved for 2000 years!
Re:Roughly 2684 years old? by metalmaster · 2012-08-17 02:23 · Score: 3, Funny

they couldnt get a good liver temp
Sounds like... by Anonymous+Codger · 2012-08-17 02:38 · Score: 4, Funny

...it's in better shape than mine.

--
No sig? Sigh...
"a waterlogged U.K. pit" by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-17 02:51 · Score: 5, Funny

Oh come on. Why not just say London.
Take your pick by Dareth · 2012-08-17 03:05 · Score: 3, Funny

Take your pick:
A: He chiseled state secrets on a cave wall.
B: He had consensual group sex with one of his students.
C: Headbutted his wife, star of a campfire reality show.
D: Was really Cowboy Neal using his new time machine.

--

I only look human.
My mother is a halfling and my dad is an ogre, so that makes me an Ogreling
Re:"about"??? by Hillgiant · 2012-08-17 04:04 · Score: 3, Funny

".. dated to about 2,684 years ago"
Saying that it happened about 2684 years ago implies (at least to me) that they can date it between precisely 2683 and 2685 years. Does it not strike anyone else as odd that they could pinpoint something that long ago so precisely?
It is a much rounder number in metric.

--
-