For archaeologists, the danger tied to trafficked mummified remains is not paranormal — it is that the remains themselves may still be hazardous.
They say mold, lingering toxic substances, and unsafe handling may pose a greater threat, especially in an online trade that appears to have few obvious safeguards.
Here's what to know
According to Popular Science, a study suggests mummified human and animal remains are being sold and mailed online without clear attention to basic health risks.
In research for the International Journal of Cultural Property, bioarchaeologist Kirsty Squires of the University of Staffordshire in the U.K. and her colleagues examined nearly 130 auction listings and online posts featuring mummified remains.
Hands and feet appeared often, the researchers found, and more than half of the lots included heads whose condition and preservation varied.
The researchers also found that sellers frequently left out guidance on how the remains should be handled or cared for.
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Some listings even included images of people touching mummified remains without gloves.
"Our research revealed that mummified remains sold online exhibit signs of biodeterioration, yet sellers provide no safety guidance, suggesting limited awareness or deliberate disregard of hazards," Squires said.
She also warned that remains are being mailed "both nationally and internationally, with little (if any) consideration of the health and safety implications of these actions."
More background
Researchers say popular stories about cursed Egyptian tombs have been shaped more by sensationalism and prejudice than by anything supernatural, while the actual hazards are largely biological.
Mummified remains may still contain embalming toxins such as lead, mercury, and arsenic.
Microbes are another concern. Even remains that seem intact may still be breaking down, which can raise the risk of contamination.
Likewise, evidence increasingly suggests that Lord Carnarvon, the patron of the expedition that opened King Tutankhamun's tomb, may have died of aspergillosis in 1923 rather than from any supernatural curse.
Unregulated sales can put anyone who handles contaminated materials at risk.
What can be done?
The study suggests a need for stronger oversight of the online trade in human remains, especially when sellers ship items across borders without clear handling instructions or warnings about potential hazards.
Auction platforms, collectors, and dealers could also reduce risk by treating mummified remains as potentially hazardous biological material rather than mere curiosities.
That would mean better documentation, safer handling, and more care during packing, transport, and storage.
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