Ancient Iranian Salt Mine Preserves Miners’ Bodies for Thousands of Years
An ancient salt mine in Iran has naturally preserved the remains of miners for millennia, with some corpses frozen in time, their arms raised as if they were trying to protect themselves from a sudden collapse. The remains span various periods, with the oldest dating back to 9550 BCE, over 10,000 years ago. According to the New York Post, the bodies, referred to as the “Saltmen,” were naturally mummified and preserved within the Chehrabad salt mine, located near the village of Manzelou in northwestern Iran.
In 1993, miners accidentally uncovered the first Saltman, who had a long white beard, a single gold earring, and iron knives. His body was found wearing a leather boot and remnants of woolen trousers. This man, believed to have died around 300 CE, was buried in the center of a 148-foot tunnel. His well-preserved condition was due to the surrounding salt, which, combined with the lack of oxygen, prevented decomposition.
Further discoveries in the salt mine
Following the first discovery, a second body was unearthed in 2004, just 50 feet from where the first Saltman was found. By 2010, a total of six mummified bodies had been recovered, including that of a 16-year-old boy. The extraordinary preservation of the bodies, including the salt’s ability to protect them from decay, allowed scientists to study the remains in detail. One mummy was found with his arms still raised, possibly indicating that he was caught off guard by a collapse.
Insights from the fifth saltman
The fifth Saltman was especially well-preserved, giving scientists the opportunity to study his internal organs. Researchers discovered tapeworm eggs, suggesting that these ancient miners had consumed raw or undercooked meat. This discovery, published in a 2012 study in the Journal of Parasitology, marked the earliest known evidence of intestinal parasites in Iran.
While six bodies have been found, additional detached body parts suggest there could be more Saltmen waiting to be discovered. It is highly probable that these individuals were miners who perished in collapses or other accidents. However, the exact cause of death and the total number of bodies in the mine remain a mystery.