Exceptionally Preserved 2,600-Year-Old Brain Found
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.'"
Intact and working are disjunct. After a shot to your heart your brain is still intact, but will soon cease working. On the other hand it can still be working after a severe trauma.