4.3.2010 Melting glaciers revealed the bodies of dead soldiers

The bodies of dead World War I soldiers were found in the Italian Alps. The first preserved skeleton was discovered in 2010 by the amateur historian Dino De Bernardin. Mummies reveal melting mountain glaciers.

The first body of a dead Austro-Hungarian soldier was encountered by Dino De Bernardin as he walked in the mountains near his home, which from 1915 to 1917 was the scene of bitter fighting between Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops. At 2,800 meters above sea level, a pile of clothes protruding from the melting ice caught his eye.

He went to take a closer look at what was actually there. He was shocked to find the skeleton of a soldier with rotting boots. He immediately called the police to the scene. The body was found near a cable car near Mount Marmolada in the Dolomites in northeastern Italy. This area is sought after by many skiers in winter. Alpine rescuers were also called. The skeleton was slowly cut from the glacier and taken to the morgue of a local hospital.

"I couldn't believe it when I realized that I had found the remains of a brave soldier," said Dino De Bernardin at the time. "At first I saw clothes sticking out of the melting ice. Then I got closer to take a good look, I got to know the military leggings that were common in World War I soldiers. I started digging, I came across bones and rotten shoes. I realized that I had found the corpse of a soldier, "said Dino De Bernardin.

Dino De Bernardin also said that he was always interested in the First World War and collected memorabilia. But he did meet the dead soldier for the first time. "It's hard to say what happened to him and how he died. But after talking to the police, I think he was probably hit by grenade shrapnel, or he could have stepped on a mine because his bones were shattered. Death in war is never pleasant, "said the finder.

The head was missing, the torso was split in half and the legs were damaged. "But I was struck by how well-preserved the uniform was. Toenails were visible on your feet, "concluded Dino De Bernardin.

Two other bodies of Austro-Hungarian soldiers were discovered two years ago. According to archaeologists, they were only 16 and 18 years old at the time of death. Both were buried by their comrades-in-arms in a narrow mountain rift. Experts then performed a thorough analysis of the bodies found.

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