In northern Sicily, within the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, lies a strange mystery surrounding the lives and deaths of mummified children. Researchers from Staffordshire University in England have decided to conduct an investigation to unravel these mysteries.
The story begins with the research team focusing on 41 child mummies in the “Children’s Room” of the catacombs, although there are approximately 163 child mummies scattered throughout this sacred site. One child mummy, displayed in the Capuchin Catacombs on January 31, 2011, became the centerpiece of this investigation.
Dr. Kirsty Squires, the principal investigator of the project, stated that they would use non-invasive X-ray technology to explore the juvenile mummies in the catacombs. Previous studies had primarily focused on the adult bodies, but this time, the research team aims to uncover the lives and identities of the children and understand why they were placed there.
The researchers are working closely with the Capuchin friars, who oversee the catacombs, to conduct ethical and respectful research. Dr. Squires emphasized that there are many ethical considerations when researching the human remains of children. One of these considerations is using X-ray technology instead of invasive and controversial techniques like autopsies.
The research team decided not to publicly share photographs of the mummies on social media and would reserve them for academic papers. Instead, they collaborated with artist Eduardo Hernandez to draw and paint images from inside the catacombs for public distribution. Dr. Squires explained that using illustrations instead of photographs was chosen because some people might find images of deceased children upsetting.
The Capuchin Catacombs were created in 1599 to house previously buried and naturally mummified monks, but later, wealthy and prominent figures were also mummified and placed there as symbols of status. Today, the catacombs serve as a tourist attraction containing approximately 1,284 bodies, some of the best-preserved mummies in the world, according to National Geographic. Some bodies are fully mummified, some are partially skeletonized, some are on display, and others reside in coffins.
This research aims not only to uncover the lives and deaths of the mummified children but also to provide a deeper understanding of the history and culture of a bygone era. Thus, the story of the mummified children in the Capuchin Catacombs continues to be written, bringing new discoveries and opening new doors to our understanding of the past.
