Mummies from Wieuwerd
In the crypt (also crypt ) of the Nikolaas Church in Wiuwert (Frisian name from Dutch: Wieuwerd , Province of Friesland ) lie several undestroyed, mummified bodies that were buried there in the 16th century. When the church crypt was opened during renovation work in 1765, almost completely preserved mummies were found instead of skeletons.
Scientists discovered as early as 1800 that the corpses had not been treated. The bodies are not decomposed, but dried up, one body still weighs about 4 kg. So they are natural mummies . As a result of the various investigations, most of the bodies were damaged or destroyed. Today only four of the original eleven mummies remain.
It has not been exactly researched why the buried corpses did not rot . In the crypt there are small windows on both sides through which air can freely circulate. The constant breeze apparently dries up the corpses over time. The temperature in the room is rather low, but the humidity is still rather high. The mummies on the north side are in better condition; it is more humid there.
The following people lie in the coffins covered with glass:
- a goldsmith
- an unknown woman
- a man with a jaw infection
- a girl with tuberculosis
To check whether the mummification was still working, three dead birds were hung up in 1930 and they are still hanging from the ceiling.
Similar mummies can be found in the crypt of the Michaelerkirche (Vienna Inner City) or in the Capuchin crypt of Palermo .