Traces of copper around remains from Marie de Bretagne

When exceptionally preserved, hair, wools, or skin samples can have a high archaeological value. The best-preserved specimens have often benefited from specific environmental conditions that slowed down the degradation of tissues: intense dryness, coldness or absence of oxygen. A French team had a deeper look into the remains found in Marie de Bretagne’s sepulture (15th c., France), which did not benefit from such a specific environment. Using microscopic analysis under synchrotron radiation (SOLEIL and the ESRF), scientists showed that extraordinarily well-preserved hair samples contained traces of copper and lead that could explain this remarkable state. They also identified the unexpected origin of the metal remains.