Infectious 'mummy's curse' could be unleashed on Earth thanks to grisly global trade in human heads

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Scientists have raised the alarm over a booming international online market in mummified human remains.They caution that the trade in centuries-old hands, feet and heads threatens to expose buyers and sellers to dangerous ancient fungal spores and poisonous chemicals.Researchers publishing their findings in the International Journal of Cultural Property described the hazards as amounting to "a real mummy's curse".Microorganisms that have lain dormant for hundreds of years can become airborne the moment remains are handled or transported, the experts warned, while toxic preservation substances applied to the dead long ago pose additional dangers.

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TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The team wrote: "Where mummified remains are transported without appropriate controls or documentation, the living are exposed to various risks."The study examined 128 online listings across Meta platforms, e-commerce websites, web stores and auction houses, uncovering widespread sales of mummified body...

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