The brain belonged to an Iron Age man who was hanged and then decapitated, with his head falling in the pit shortly thereafter.
Scientists believe that submersion in liquid, anoxic environments helps to preserve human brain tissue.
A human skull dated to about 2,684 years ago with an "exceptionally preserved" human brain still inside of it was recently discovered in a waterlogged U.K. pit, according to a new Journal of Archaeological Science study.
The brain is the oldest known intact human brain from Europe and Asia, according to the authors, who also believe it's one of the best-preserved ancient brains in the world.
"The early Iron Age skull belonged to a man, probably in his thirties," according to lead author Sonia O'Connor. "Cause of death is rarely possible to determine in archaeological remains, but in this case, damage to the neck vertebrae is consistent with a hanging.""
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