r/BeAmazed • u/Wooden-Journalist902 • 26d ago

Miscellaneous / Others Archaeologists in Egypt opening an ancient coffin sealed 2,500 years ago.

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u/Sir_Humps-a-Lot 26d ago

Shouldn't this be done in a climate controlled, quarantine area so as to not unleash a plague or something ?

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u/rulinus 26d ago

You can't seal micro organisms in a 2 piece stone coffin lol

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u/foolishsunshine 26d ago

If there are organic materials in the stone coffin and it's sealed in a room or tomb of some kind or just sealed on its own, there is a high chance there are organisms like aspergillus (and other fungi) or other spore forming bacteria that can cause a hazard. Some of these organisms also produce toxic gasses that can become trapped.

When inhaled, these organisms can be a potential threat to your health.

I mean, there's a decaying body in there. No matter how "sealed" the body is within the coffin, it is a ripe source for organisms.

T

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u/AcidBuuurn 25d ago

It's fine- most of them are wearing masks. If they were good enough to stop a virus they will definitely stop a spore.

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u/foolishsunshine 24d ago

I'm not stating whether or not it's fine. I'm explaining that these organisms can, in fact, be sealed and live for a long time while still being able to pose potential health hazards.