The History of Mummification in Venzone> In the 14th century, Venzone was hit by a deadly plague that killed many of its inhabitants. To prevent the spread of the disease, the bodies of the deceased were buried in a special soil mixture that was high in calcium. This helped to dry out the corpses and preserve them, leading to a unique form of natural mummification that became more common over time. By the 16th century, mummificationwas a widespread practice in Venzone.