Incorruptible Bodies of Saints

Ruby_Woo

Wasn't sure where to post this, so mods, feel free to move as needs be.

I've been doing a little research on the so-called incorruptible bodies of saints - even hundreds of years after they're dead and buried their bodies appear to show no/little signs of decomposition.

Some good examples here;

http://www.marypages.com/IncorruptBodies.htm

How is this even possible?

Any thoughts?

Ziycon

Air tight container should do the trick, here is a good explanation i found with a quick google.

Aerobic bacteria would continue to decompose the body for another hour or so, before oxygen concentrations dropped too low for them to function.

Anaerobic or facultative bacteria would continue to decompose the body without the presence of the oxygen, but this would primarily occur deep inside, where these bacteria normally live (in your gut). After a while, even they would die, because of their inability to remove wastes.

Although the body would look like it was perfectly preserved on the outside, the inside would be partially decomposed.

maccored

Saint Catherine of Bologna seems to have been buried without a coffin or airtight container

Ziycon

maccored wrote: »

Saint Catherine of Bologna seems to have been buried without a coffin or airtight container

Could be something similar to the likes of what has happened in the crypts at Saint Michan's Church.