Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/2122/16108
Authors: Bianucci, Raffaella* 
Galassi, Francesco Maria* 
Lanza, Tiziana* 
Mattutino, Grazia* 
Nerlich, Andreas G* 
Title: What lies behind the embalmed body of Rosalia Lombardo (1918-1920)?
Journal: Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embriology 
Series/Report no.: 1/126 (2022)
Publisher: Firenze University Press
Issue Date: 21-Sep-2022
DOI: 10.36253/ijae-13771
URL: https://oajournals.fupress.net/index.php/ijae/article/view/13771/12858
Keywords: modern embalming, anatomy, mummification, wax
restoratove arts, history of medicine, mummy
Abstract: Mummy studies help scientists to reconstruct both the evolution and manifestation of past dis-eases as well as the lifestyles and the habits of the ancient populations. They also help to gain insights into their funerary rites, which are a refl ection of the community spiritual beliefs. Last but not least, the study of embalmed corpses reveals the evolution of the mortuary practices. After the 1840’s, new embalming methods were developed; these coupled the use of chemical solution and arterial injection thus allowing the corpses to maintain their integrity (no exter-nal lacerations) together with a life-like appearance. An extremely interesting case of modern chemical embalming is that of Rosalia Lombardo (1918-1920), a two years old girl who died in Palermo. Her cadaver is housed in the Capuchin Catacombs of the Sicilian capital. Both her cause of death and the procedure used in her embalming are still enigmatic. Her embalming has been allegedly attributed to Alfredo Salafi a, a renowned Palermitan embalmer. This paper addresses the most recent fi ndings emerged from our re-analysis of Rosalia’s case; furthermore, the cosmetic treatment of Rosalia’s mummy is compared with those of Ernesto Salafi a Maggio and Giovanni Paterniti, two individuals whose bodies were embalmed by Alfredo Salafia.
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