Human and animal mummified remains are being sold online and shipped globally, often without warnings about biological or chemical hazards, according to research published in the International Journal of Cultural Property. The study examined 128 online listings and found visible signs of fungal growth on 13 of them, and recorded 122 listings for human mummies alongside some animal specimens.
What the researchers found
The investigators surveyed a range of platforms — social media websites, online auction sites and general marketplaces — and documented a variety of items for sale. Most of the human specimens were complete bodies, but some listings offered parts such as hands, feet, skulls and shrunken heads.
- 128 online listings were examined.
- 122 listings involved human mummified remains.
- 13 listings showed visible fungal growth.
The study’s authors emphasise that visible mould is not the only problem. Any mummified remains that retain soft tissue can harbour dormant microorganisms — including fungal spores — which may become airborne when a package is jostled. That, they warn, can pose infection risks to handlers who are unaware of the contents.
Biological and chemical hazards
Beyond fungi, the researchers note another layer of danger from historical embalming materials. Substances used in preservation can contain toxic metals such as arsenic, mercury and lead, creating an inhalation or contact risk for people opening or processing parcels.
“A ‘real mummy’s curse’ in this context refers to the modern, biological and toxic hazards posed by moving mummified remains around the world, not any supernatural force,” the study observed.
The paper cites historical incidents to underline the potential severity of exposure. For example, it references events in the 1970s when scientists who opened a tomb — identified in earlier reporting as that of Polish king Casimir IV — were exposed to Aspergillus fungus; ten of the twelve scientists involved died within weeks, a reminder of how dangerous fungal pathogens can be in confined, poorly ventilated situations.
Who is at risk?
The researchers point out that the trade places many people at risk beyond the buyer and seller: warehouse staff, couriers, postal workers and customs officials who may handle parcels without protective equipment or accurate information. Because many listings lack labels indicating biological risk, routine handling could release spores or toxic dust.
They also emphasise that the global, low‑cost nature of parcel delivery makes it easy for potentially hazardous material to cross borders quickly and to reach jurisdictions with varying regulatory oversight.
Implications and next steps
The study does not attempt to quantify the number of illnesses caused by this trade, but it raises regulatory and occupational‑health questions. Proper labelling, tighter controls on the sale and shipment of human remains, and awareness‑raising among postal and customs workers are measures consistent with the risks the researchers describe.
In the short term, the study serves as a warning: packages containing human or animal remains can carry microscopic hazards not evident from photographs in online listings. Authorities responsible for public health, postal safety and customs may need to consider whether existing rules and workplace protections are adequate to address this growing trade.
Readers should note that the research team limited its work to what was visible in online listings; it did not report laboratory testing of individual specimens in each listing. The study therefore signals potential hazards that merit further investigation and, where necessary, policy responses to protect workers and the public.
