1. Though I don't recall how they did it, the Egyptians were big on getting rid of brain matter, and all I remember is that they got it out through the nose, as you mentioned above. As for whether they shot some acid up there first, I don't know. Maybe you can find some information on a site about mummification.

However, I also remember doing some research on lobotomies, and reading about a guy who ran around the country administering them to emotionally distressed people by sticking icepicks into the skull around the eye cavity and wiggling them around. It was apparently enough to damage or destroy the brain in that area, so maybe you don't need to dissolve it?