Ancient Iceman May Be Infected With Bacteria
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From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Researchers suspect the corpse of a 5,000-year-old mummy frozen in the Italian Alps might have been contaminated by bacteria since its discovery in 1991, a doctor who takes care of the body said Monday.
X-rays have shown bubbles in the bones that could be caused by bacteria, said Eduard Egarter Vigl, in charge of preserving the mummy at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy. He denied that the bacteria could cause the iceman to disintegrate, but said disinfection might be needed.
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