The Merovingian queens, reigning from the 5th to the 8th centuries, are among the most enigmatic figures in European history. In 2006, archaeologists unearthed the tomb of a Merovingian queen in France. Upon exploring the mummy, they discovered something extraordinary: her lungs were still intact and carefully mummified. This discovery posed a mystery: why were the lungs preserved so specially?
Discovery of the Tomb and Mummy
The remains of Queen Arnegunde were found in 1959 by the archaeologist Michel Fleury during the construction of a highway. Upon excavation, archaeologists were astonished to find a mummy preserved with near-perfect integrity. The mummy lay within an oak coffin. Along with the skeleton and preserved lung were a strand of hair, jewelry, and several fragments of textiles and leather.
A gold signet ring, with the inscription “Arnegundis” showed that the remains belonged to the Merovingian Queen Arnegunde (c. 515/520-580) – one of the six wives of King Clotaire I (c. 497 – 29 November 561), and the mother of King Chilpéric I (c. 539 – September 584). Although the jewelry and fine quality of the queen’s clothing have attracted the attention of some scholars, articularly captivating was the queen’s lung, placed separately in a small, elaborately decorated wooden
Scientific Analysis and Unraveling the Mystery
An international team of researchers led by bio-anthropologist Rafaella Bianucci of the University of Turin examined the lungs of Queen Arnegunde, and they discovered that she was intentionally mummified. When the scientists conducted biochemical analysis, they found copper oxide and traces of benzoic acid in her lungs. Benzoic acid is normally found in plants, while copper, which has preserving properties, is usually used as jewelry. (The queen wore an ornate copper belt in her grave.) The researchers suggested that Queen Arnegunde might have possibly received an oral injection of liquefied spices or aromatic plants.
Furthermore, they proposed that the “preserving properties of copper, combined with the spice embalming treatment, might have allowed the preservation of the lungs.”Mummification through the use of aromatic plants and spices was common in France during the sixth century. The Merovingians learned the practice from the Romans, while the Romans got it from the Egyptians. But unlike the Egyptians, the method applied by the Merovingians was a bit crude. This could explain why only Queen Arnegunde’s lungs were well-preserved while the rest of her body was not.
Hypotheses for Lung Mummification
Through DNA analysis and a detailed examination of the mummy, scientists have determined that the Merovingian queen succumbed to tuberculosis, a dangerous airborne infectious disease. The Merovingian queen’s death from tuberculosis would have undoubtedly caused significant disruptions in Merovingian society. Tuberculosis is highly contagious, and close contact with an infected individual posed a substantial risk of transmission. Therefore, the queen’s death could have instilled fear and anxiety within the community.
The mummification of the queen’s lungs could have served as a measure to prevent the spread of tuberculosis bacteria and protect those involved in the funeral rites. Additionally, the mummification of the lungs may reflect the Merovingians’ religious beliefs about the afterlife and their desire to preserve the integrity of the deceased’s body.
Through research on the embalmed lungs of the Merovingian queen, we gain more valuable knowledge about the embalming techniques and culture of the Merovingian people. This discovery not only decodes a historical mystery but also contributes to enriching understanding of the ancient period, opening up new research directions in archeology and history.
