What lies behind the embalmed body of Rosalia Lombardo (1918-1920)?

Q4 Medicine

Italian journal of anatomy and embryology Pub Date : 2022-09-20 DOI:10.36253/ijae-13771

R. Bianucci, F. Galassi, T. Lanza, G. Mattutino, A. Nerlich

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引用次数: 2

Abstract

Mummy studies help scientists to reconstruct both the evolution and manifestation of past diseases as well as the lifestyles and the habits of the ancient populations. They also help to gain insights into their funerary rites, which are a reflection of the community spiritual beliefs. Last but not least, the study of embalmed corpses reveals the evolution of the mortuary practices. After the 1840’s, new embalming methods were developed; these coupled the use of chemical solution and arterial injection thus allowing the corpses to maintain their integrity (no external lacerations) together with a life-like appearance. An extremely interesting case of modern chemical embalming is that of Rosalia Lombardo (1918-1920), a two years old girl who died in Palermo. Her cadaver is housed in the Capuchin Catacombs of the Sicilian capital. Both her cause of death and the procedure used in her embalming are still enigmatic. Her embalming has been allegedly attributed to Alfredo Salafia, a renowned Palermitan embalmer. This paper addresses the most recent findings emerged from our re-analysis of Rosalia’s case; furthermore, the cosmetic treatment of Rosalia’s mummy is compared with those of Ernesto Salafia Maggio and Giovanni Paterniti, two individuals whose bodies were embalmed by Alfredo Salafia.

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Rosalia Lombardo（1918-1920）经过防腐处理的尸体背后隐藏着什么？

对木乃伊的研究有助于科学家重建过去疾病的演变和表现，以及古代人口的生活方式和习惯。它们还有助于深入了解他们的葬礼仪式，这是社区精神信仰的反映。最后但并非最不重要的是，对防腐尸体的研究揭示了太平间习俗的演变。19世纪40年代以后，新的防腐方法被开发出来;这些方法结合了化学溶液和动脉注射的使用，从而使尸体保持完整性(没有外部撕裂伤)，并具有逼真的外观。一个非常有趣的现代化学防腐案例是死于巴勒莫的两岁女孩Rosalia Lombardo(1918-1920)。她的尸体被安置在西西里岛首都的卷尾猴地下墓穴中。她的死因和防腐处理的方法仍然是个谜。据称，她的防腐工作是由巴勒斯坦著名的防腐师阿尔弗雷多·萨拉菲亚负责的。本文讨论了我们重新分析Rosalia案例的最新发现;此外，Rosalia木乃伊的美容处理与Ernesto Salafia Maggio和Giovanni Paterniti的进行了比较，这两个人的尸体都是由Alfredo Salafia进行防腐处理的。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Italian journal of anatomy and embryology Medicine-Embryology

CiteScore

0.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, founded in 1901 by Giulio Chiarugi, Anatomist at Florence University, is a peer-reviewed journal sponsored by the Italian Society of Anatomy and Embryology. The journal publishes original papers, invited review articles, historical article, commentaries, obituitary, and book reviews. Its main focus is to understand anatomy through an analysis of structure, function, development and evolution. Priority will be given to studies of that clearly articulate their relevance to the anatomical community. Focal areas include: experimental studies, contributions based on molecular and cell biology and on the application of modern imaging techniques; comparative functional morphology; developmental biology; functional human anatomy; methodological innovations in anatomical research; significant advances in anatomical education. Studies that are essentially descriptive anatomy are appropriate only if they communicate clearly a broader functional or evolutionary significance. All papers should be submitted in English and must be original works that are unpublished and not under consideration by another journal. An international Editorial Board and reviewers from the anatomical disciplines guarantee a rapid review of your paper within two to three weeks after submission.