A growing global trade in mummified human remains has been described by academics as “a real mummy’s curse” that poses a serious health risk to its enthusiasts and the postal services they use. “Isolated body parts, such as hands and feet, were most frequently identified, followed by whole mummified heads,” the paper’s authors write. Mummified remains can harbour a wide variety of dormant microorganisms despite centuries of desiccation. It didn’t look like it was temperature controlled, the appropriate storage conditions required for human remains.” The study found that it was not just those trading in human remains who were in danger.