Human brains found at archaeological sites are surprisingly well-preserved

Remains of human brains were considered rare, but not anymore

A photograph of a preserved brain that is dark brown and orangish and appears rock hard

Naturally preserved brains can take on a variety of textures and colors, depending on their surroundings. This 1,000-year-old brain of an individual excavated from a 10th century Belgian churchyard is still soft and wet and stained orange with iron oxides.

Alexandra L. Morton-Hayward

Early in her research, forensic anthropologist Alexandra Morton-Hayward came across a paper describing a 2,500-year-old brain preserved in a severed skull.