A Crystal‐Chemical Study of Remains found in the Tomb of Giuseppe Tartini (1692–1770)

Abstract

We describe a crystal‐chemical investigation on extremely altered skeletal material and a greatly altered ring found in the tomb of the musician and composer Giuseppe Tartini. X‐ray powder diffraction and electron probe microanalysis show the presence of brushite and a small amount of hydroxyapatite in the skeletal remains. The brass ring is composed of an inner core part of cuprite (Cu2O) surrounded by parascholzite (CaZn2(PO4)2??2H2O in the outer part. This indicates that Tartini's body underwent chemical attack by a strong acid, probably sulphuric acid, as an intentional technique of mortuary hygiene in the second half of the 18th century.