How Vesuvius Volcano Turned This Brain to Glass

Scientists have discovered that a man's brain was transformed into glass during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. This is the first known case of natural brain vitrification, providing new insights into the effects of volcanic eruptions on the human body.

The volcanic disaster struck in AD 79, burying the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae in thick layers of ash that eventually solidified. At least 1,500 bodies and thousands of ancient papyrus scrolls have been found preserved in this material.

Carbonized skeleton of a young man lying in a wooden bed, Herculaneum. Death caused by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Shows preserved brain matter.

Discovery of Vitrified Brain Tissue

The remains of the individual were uncovered in Herculaneum, a city destroyed by the eruption. The victim was found lying on a bed in the Collegium Augustalium, a building used by an elite Roman priesthood. Inside his skull, researchers identified a dark, glass-like substance. Scientific analysis using X-rays and electron microscopy confirmed that this substance was vitrified brain tissue. Italian scientists published their study in Scientific Reports, explaining not only how the eruption caused such extreme transformation but also suggesting new ways to mitigate future volcanic hazards.

How the Brain Turned to Glass

Vitrification occurs when tissue is exposed to extreme temperatures and then cooled rapidly, preventing crystallization. In this case, the victim was engulfed by a pyroclastic surge—a fast-moving cloud of ash and gas—with temperatures exceeding 510°C (950°F). The intense heat liquefied the brain tissue almost instantly, and rapid cooling preserved it as glass. This evidence settles earlier doubts regarding whether volcanic heat could vitrify organic tissue.

Implications for Volcanic Hazards

The discovery provides important insights into the lethal effects of pyroclastic surges. These fast-moving clouds, which can reach speeds of up to 700 km/h (435 mph), may cause near-instantaneous death through extreme heat. Unlike the suffocating ash falls in Pompeii, the victims of Herculaneum appear to have perished immediately from thermal exposure. This finding deepens our understanding of how such events can rapidly and fatally affect human bodies.

Scientific Significance

Further analysis of the vitrified brain tissue revealed preserved proteins and neuronal structures, offering a rare glimpse into ancient human biology. Beyond reshaping our view of the Mount Vesuvius eruption, this remarkable preservation has potential implications for modern forensic science. The historic eruption, famously chronicled by Pliny the Younger, continues to yield new insights into the interplay between natural disasters and human physiology.