Gecse Annabella et al. (szerk.): Tisicum - A Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok Megyei Múzeumok Évkönyve 18. (Szolnok, 2009)

Régészet - Szabó G. Tamás: Egy villámsújtotta XVIII. századi fiatal férfi csontvázának paleopathológiai vizsgálata

Tamás Szabó G.

The palaeo-pathologic research of the skeleton of a 18th young man struck by lightning

In the exhumation carried out in the sepulchral vault of the Lady in Harvest Roman Catholic church of Jászberény, in grave 6 according to the inscription of the coffin laid the body of István Kállai, who died on 20th June, 1794, aged

18. According to an entry to the death registry, the cause of his death was „tactus fulmine”, that is stroke of lightning.

During the archaeological excavation, on his right elbow a piece of textile rolled and tied around his arm was observed (probably a bandage). The aim of the palaeo-pathologic examination of grave 6 was to detect the injuries consistent with the cause of the death, stroke of lightning, as well as to ascertain the relations between the above-mentioned wound and the location of the bandage and to determine the general health conditions of the deceased.

The most important injuries caused by lightning are burns and nerve-cell damages as a result of electricity. The sudden surge of energy evaporates the water content of tissues starting a high-powered shockwave, which often breaks the drum of ear and leads to fractures.

Based upon the remnants of the skeleton suitable for examination, we found no pathological changes, so the most probable cause of death was the direct impact of lightning on the heart. According to our findings in the given deceased, the most tragic aspect was that a family lost a totally healthy young man who died in his boots.