Girolamo Segato was an Italian naturalist, cartographer, and anatomist, born in 1792 in the town of Vedana, near Belluno. He is best known for his pioneering work in the field of “petrification” or “mineralization” of human remains, a technique he developed during the 19th century.
Segato’s most famous work took place in Florence, where he conducted experiments that allowed him to preserve human tissues in a way that made them appear as if they were turned to stone. Unlike other preservation methods, such as mummification or embalming, Segato’s process involved a chemical treatment that left the tissues hard and stone-like while retaining their color and structure. To this day, the exact process he used remains a mystery, as Segato took the secret to his grave.
Segato’s preserved specimens, including petrified human organs and parts of the body, can be seen at the Museum of Natural History in Florence, known as “La Specola.” His work has fascinated and puzzled scientists for generations due to its unique and enigmatic nature.
Despite his groundbreaking work, Segato’s contributions were not widely recognized during his lifetime. He died in 1836 in Florence, and his innovative technique largely faded into obscurity, only to be rediscovered and appreciated later. His tomb is located in the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, where the epitaph reads, “Here lies Girolamo Segato, who would have turned stone into flesh if he could have prolonged life.”
