The crypt that lies beneath St. Peter’s Cathedral in Bremen, Germany is known as Bleikeller – lead cellar – because the space was originally used to store leftover lead after renovations. Scientists think that, in an unintended side effect, the lead and the dry air contributed to the mummification of corpses stored down there, some of which could be almost 300 years old.
The bodies were found by Arp Schnitger, a 17th century organ maker who was allowed part of the basement to use as a workshop – so it must have been quite a shock. The bodies have been accessible to tourists since the mid-19th century,…
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