Researchers were amazed when the hound was stuck in the middle of a tree trunk and remained intact – not decomposing at all.

IB Times reported that workers at The Georgia Kraft Corp were shocked and stunned when they discovered a hound’s body sticking its head out in the middle of an oak log.

What was especially shocking was that the dog’s body was extremely well preserved – petrified for nearly 60 years without any Egyptian mummification techniques.

Experts believe that this hunting dog got stuck when it jumped through a tree hole while chasing an animal around 1960. Because the gap was quite narrow and the hole was high, the dog never caught its prey and no one noticed to help it out. Unable to escape, the dog remained in the random trap and died there.

But why after decades of not using any embalming method, is this dog still intact?

Anthropologist at the University of West Florida – Kristina Killgrove has given an explanation for this phenomenon.

According to him, normally when a person or an animal dies, bacteria in the intestines will begin to “eat the body”, the process of decomposition will occur. This is the most disgusting part because the microorganisms in the intestines will grow, multiply and take over the body. The body will then swell, rot – bacteria, fungi or other animals will appear to feast on the corpse.

But the key problem lies in the oak tree itself – the cause of death as well as the perfect “coffin” of the hunting dog.

The oak tree contains tannins – used to hide animals and prevent decomposition. It should be clarified that tannins are a natural dehydrating agent, so they have the ability to absorb moisture and dry out the surrounding environment. Mr. Killgrove said that in low humidity environments, they inadvertently inhibit the activity of microorganisms, thereby resisting the decomposition process.

Along with that, due to the location and shape of the oak tree, the air circulation is directed upwards, so scavengers never discovered the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ dog in the tree trunk.

The dog’s body is currently on display at the Southern Forest World Museum, through which researchers also understand more about the natural drying agent that helps preserve mummies perfectly.