Primus Pilus Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Mummy hair has revealed the first direct evidence of alcohol consumption in ancient populations, according to new forensic research. The study, still in its preliminary stage, examined hair samples from spontaneously mummified remains discovered in one of the most arid regions of the world, the Atacama Desert of northern Chile and southern Peru. The research was presented at the 5th World Congress on Mummy Studies in Turin, Italy, this month. "It is well known that immediately following ingestion, ethanol can be measured in any body fluid, as well as the expired air in our breath. Detecting exposure to alcohol days, months, or even years later is a more difficult task. You need to find direct, long term biomarks," Larry Cartmell, Clinical Laboratory Director at the Valley View Hospital in Aida, Okla., told Discovery News. via Discovery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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