Perpetuate the majesty – archaeological, archaeobotanical, and bio-anthropological evidence of embalming the Polish king Augustus II the Strong (18th Century)

In 2019, the sarcophagus of King Augustus II the Strong (1670–1733) was examined as part of conservation work in the royal burial crypts at Wawel Castle in Cracow (Kraków) (Southern Poland). Previous research demonstrated that the king’s body was embalmed after his death, which is mentioned in historical sources. However, these sources include no details regarding the techniques or the materials used. This research presents new information about the burials of Polish rulers in the 18th Century. Archaeological and bio-anthropological analysis revealed that the king’s eyes were replaced with glass prostheses, the heart was removed, and plant material replaced the abdominal organs and the brain. The botanical material was subjected to macrobotanical and palynological analyses. Given the types of plants identified, the choice of plants used for embalming was guided by practical, rather than religious, considerations. The plants include herbs and spices with significant antiseptic properties and strong fragrances. Moreover, they were accessible throughout the year and could be stored in the royal larder or pharmacy and dried without losing much of their properties, even during winter. We demonstrate the value of multiproxy approaches in identifying historic embalming practices without detailed written records.