Anatomical Machines

The reproduction of the vessel system is formed of metal wire, wax, and silk, but because of its richness of detail it was for a long time believed to be of natural origin.

[2] A contract, found in the notary archive of Naples, states that di Sangro provided to Salerno metal wire and wax for the work.

The models were firstly located in the so-called appartamento della fenice (phoenix's apartment) in Palazzo di Sangro, where in 1775 they were seen by Marquis de Sade,[2] and they were moved to the chapel only after the death of the prince.

They found that the skeletons are true human ones, while the model of the blood vessels is made with metal wire, coloured wax and silk, using techniques common to anatomical studies of that time,[5] with no evidence in favour of the popular legends.

[2] Another analysis conducted in 2014 by a medical team from Ospedale San Gennaro in Naples confirms the authenticity of the two skeletons and the mistakes in the reproduction of the circulatory system, but considered them compatible with life.