Isolation and eradication of fungi contaminating the mummified corpses from Qilakitsoq

Abstract

During the period when they were kept at the National Museum, Copenhagen, the mummies demonstrated increasing contamination with fungi. followed by decomposition of the material. The fungi were isolated and identificated as the species Penicillium, Aspergillus and Botrytis. After decontamination with gamma radiation (2- 2.5 megarad) the mummies were transported in tight plastic bags to the museum in Nuuk, Greenland. To avoid recontamination they are now displayed in airtight showcases at a suitably low temperature and humidity.