A CT scan of a 1,000 year old Buddha statue has revealed the remains of a Buddhist monk encased inside.
The statue had been on display at the Netherland’s Drents Museum, the first time it had been on display outside of China, when researchers made the decision to use modern medical equipment to investigate the remains that were hidden inside.
At the Meander Medical Centre, X-ray-based computerised tomography (CT) scans and a specially-designed endoscope were used to examine the contents of the Buddhist statue, and the researchers found that the body inside had been mummified with its organs removed, and rolls of paper covered in Chinese writing placed in the cavity.
After removing some of the scraps of paper for examination and DNA-testing on the bones, the researchers discovered that the remains belonged to a Buddhist master known as Liuquan, associated with the Chinese Meditation School.
RT @usupera: Robs Webstek: Buddha Statue with Mummy in Hospital http://t.co/Z9opgDk6nV pic.twitter.com/mK8BICoHk5
— OnLineMan (@onlineman) February 21, 2015
The statue and mummy are currently on display as part of an exhibition at the National Museum of Natural History in Budapest, Hungary.
