Mystery of Europe's largest ancient catacomb containing thousands of child mummies

Italian scientists are working to solve the mystery of thousands of baby mummies found in an ancient underground tomb in Sicily.

163 baby mummies from Palermo’s Capuchin catacombs will be X-rayed for examination. The mummies are among 1,284 bodies stacked in vaults believed to date back to the 1590s.

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Palermo’s Capuchin Catacombs are a tourist attraction for the ‘intrepid’ because of their mysterious history

There is still little information about the idenтιтies and causes of death of these babies. Scientists say some of the mummies are so well preserved that they look like little ‘dolls’ sleeping.

Dr Kirsty Squires, of Staffordshire University, is leading the X-ray autopsy project. The research is expected to last two years and will officially begin next week.

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There are 1,284 mummies and some natural bones stored at Capuchin

If successful, scientists will be able to determine the idenтιтies, health levels and illnesses of around 41 bodies.

Dr Squires told The Sun: “We want to understand more about the condition of the children and the mummification rituals that were carried out. Most of them were from middle-class families at the time, but what led to these tragic deaths remains a mystery.”

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Archaeologist Dario Piombino Mascali poses with the mummified remains of Rosalia Lombardo, a baby who died of pneumonia at the age of two and is preserved in Palermo’s Capuchin Catacombs

The Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo are home to the largest collection of mummies in Europe. Many of the bodies were left with only bones, but some were so well preserved that their skin, hair and even their clothing and accessories were still intact.

The cemetery was originally reserved for Capuchin monks but was later opened to the public.

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At the time, being mummified was a rite of pᴀssage for status, wealth and a way to “maintain dignity even in death.”

Dr. Squires said the team will use a portable X-ray scanner and take hundreds of images of the mummies from different angles.

They will also use the scans to determine the Sєx and age of each child, as well as look for evidence of developmental disabilities, trauma and disease.

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The fully clothed skeletons in the Capuchin Catacombs are the best preserved mummies in the world

Dr Dario Piombino-Mascali, an expert working on the project, said the mummification techniques of the period were so sophisticated that many mummies even had fake eyes.

The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo are a popular tourist attraction in Sicily. Around 8,000 mummies hang on the walls like paintings depicting a mysterious and painful period in southern Italy.