Professor Girolamo Segato from Florence, Italy, invented the process mineralization of human remains, but paranoia and fear persecution by ignorant contemporaries destroyed him research, leaving only a small number of gloomy relics in as evidence of its amazing existence technology.
A photo from open sources
Born in 1792, Segato showed an early interest in science. in general and chemistry in particular, which inspired and defined the whole his future life. His specialization in the petrification process started after he visited Egypt at the age of 26 and was fascinated by the mummies of this ancient country.
Upon his return to Europe, Segato began to develop new mummification methods. After testing the developed method on animal corpses, scientist inventor soon created his own unique method of keeping human tissues mysterious at that time a mineralization process that turns the remains into a semblance marble.
The reaction to his work was mixed. Although some surprised at the special transformation of corpses by the Segato method, others considered his work related to unnatural Egyptian mysticism. After someone burst into his laboratory and, as it turned out, rummaged through his papers, Segato became afraid of his theft works, and, in the end, destroyed all his research and notes. When Segato died in 1836, he carried away the secret of his process with you to the grave. He was buried in the cemetery of Florence with epitaph: “Here lies Girolamo Segato – the one who will incorrupt if the secret of his art did not die with him. ”
A photo from open sources
Today, the only remaining evidence of his work are a few very grim relics. Located in Anatomical Museum of the University of Florence, by Segato presented in the form of separate parts of the body such as severed a woman’s head and a separate female breast, turned into an eternal a rock. There is also a “Segato Table” which presents a large wooden oval inlaid with tiles that actually are petrified pieces of bones, muscles and guts.
A photo from open sources
Modern researchers have developed alternative methods mineralization of human remains, but even after several laboratory studies of Segato samples by various methods, no one is able to explain his process.
Stones
