Beard hair filled with gold on the remains of 16th-century astronomers

The hair beard sample was taken from the remains of Tycho Brahe, an astronomer, which contained 20-100 times the amount of gold, indicating high exposure to this element.

Kaare Lund Rasmussen, associate professor at the University of Southern Denmark, found that the hair beard on the remains of the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) contained 20-100 times the amount of gold compared to the normal level. Fox News reported on December 15.

The hair on Tycho Brahe's remains contains more gold than usual.(Photo: SDU).

Archaeologists unearthed Brahe remains in 2010, then took some of his eyebrows, beard and hair to examine. In addition to detecting high levels of gold in hair, they also found signs of contact with gold in his bones.

According to Rasmussen, gold is absorbed into Brahe astronomer's body due to his lifestyle .

"Brahe may have used cutlery, gold plates, or drenched with gold leaves. In addition, another theory is that gold is absorbed into Brahe's body as an alchemist or he has prepared and used it. The drug contains this element, " explains Rasmussen.

Scientists also found signs of other substances such as silver, arsenic, iron with a small, non-toxic content in Brahe's body.

This study contributes to denying previous assumptions that Brahe died of mercury poisoning. Based on the ingredients and how the hair grows, scientists can show Brahe's exposure to gold and other elements has decreased in about two months before his death. This proves that astronomers have poor health and cannot work in the lab during the last days of their lives.

"However, the exact cause of Brahe's death has not yet been determined," Rasmussen said.