Human brains usually decay first; some survived 12,000 years. Here’s how

Recent studies shed light on how some ancient brains manage to endure over time. The availability of oxygen is pivotal in influencing the survival of brain proteins post-mortem. In moist, low-oxygen environments, decomposition favors protein cross-linking, which fortifies these proteins against degradation. This explains the remarkable preservation of certain ancient brains while other bodily tissues succumb to decay.