Loading

The oldest mummies in the world

Chinchorro mummies at the Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa.

These mummies of the Chinchorro hunter gatherer culture in the Atacama desert in the far north of Chile are 2000 years older than the Egyptian mummies! The oldest artificially preserved mummy dates from 5050 BC, the oldest naturally preserved mummy is from 7020 BC.

In 2021 the Chinchorro sites and mummification process in Arica and Caleta/Valle Camarones were inscribed as UNESCO world heritage.

whc.unesco.org/en/list/1634

www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58639748
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinchorro_mummies

de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinchorro-Kultur



The museum also has other displays

Visible by: Everyone
(more information)

More information

Visible by: Everyone

All rights reserved

Report this photo as inappropriate

29 comments

Erhard Bernstein said:

Das ist schon unglaublich, wie alt diese Zeugnisse menschlichen Lebens sind.
3 months ago ( translate )

Gudrun replied to Erhard Bernstein:

Danke vielmals, Erhard! Mich hat das damals umgehauen, mir war das vorher überhaupt nicht bekannt!
3 months ago ( translate )

Jocelyne Villoing said:

Merci de ce merveilleux partage Gudrun.++++++++++++
3 months ago ( translate )

Gudrun replied to Jocelyne Villoing:

Merci beaucoup, Jocelyne!
3 months ago ( translate )

Ko Hummel said:

wusste ich auch nicht, schön das du es zeigst
3 months ago ( translate )

Gudrun replied to Ko Hummel:

Besten Dank, Ko!
3 months ago ( translate )

Hubs 56 said:

interessanter Blick in die Vergangenheit
3 months ago ( translate )

Diana Australis said:

Thanks for the memories, Gudrun. The Chinchorro mummies are really interesting.. we saw them in 2010 also. Happy weekend..♥️♥️
3 months ago

Adele said:

Amazing display of a very ancient history!
3 months ago ( translate )

Keith Burton said:

It's amazing how the bodies, clothing etc, has lasted so long.......their embalming techniques must have been very good........way ahead of the Egyptians!

I like the colourful image in the PiP too, which I assume is traditional clothing. I wouldn't mind one of those walking sticks.

Fascinating images Gudrun..!!
3 months ago

Don Sutherland said:

Fantastic shot.
3 months ago

Gabi Lombardo said:

etwas gruselig, aber sehr interessant!!
3 months ago ( translate )

Mario Vargas said:

All the family, wow
3 months ago

Angelofruhr said:

Unglaublich!!
3 months ago ( translate )

William Sutherland said:

Incredible shots!
3 months ago ( translate )