On the embalmer Alfredo Salafia (1869-1933) and the mummy of Rosalia Lombardo (1918-1920): science is not a “narrative”

Abstract

This paper is a response to Piombino-Mascali and Zink’s accusations against our investigation into the story of the research on the sleeping beauty of Palermo, the mummy of Rosalia Lombardo (1918-1920). A point-by-point rebuttal shows how their original work was not conducted to the highest scientific standards. They do not report important data and so avoid proper oversight. As a result the paleopathological community cannot be satisfied that their conclusions are robust.