Ultramicroscopic Study on the Hair of Newly Found 15th Century Mummy in Daejeon, Korea

The study investigated the ultramicroscopic preservation of hair from a 15th-century Korean mummy found in Daejeon, revealing that the hair was exceptionally well-preserved with intact structural layers. This preservation was attributed to a thin crystalline coating containing elements like calcium and sodium, likely from a lime-soil mixture used in the burial, which protected the hair from bio-degradation by preventing water and fungal infiltration. The findings offered insights into the preservation conditions of mummified hair and suggested a protective role of burial materials, although further evidence was needed to confirm these observations.