Coffin from Civil War uncovers mystery

AP ^

[blam]

"I doubt bacteria could live so long, but is it possible for viri to survive under such condtions, and infect those working on the remains? "

The live 250 million year old bacteria found in a salt crystal didn't harm anyone.

[SunkenCiv]

:')

[VeniVidiVici]

I could care less who digs up my kin in forgotten graves as long as they are reburied.

I'm in the middle of convincing my family to dig up about 20 graves in the old family cemetery that dates back to the early 1800s. All that's left are nubs of fieldstones.

I'd love to disinterr, identify and give a proper burial (again) with markers in the new family cemetery.

And if the Smithsonian wishes to help me out, so much the better!