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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

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28 comments

Erhard Bernstein said:

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

Gudrun replied to Erhard Bernstein:

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

Jocelyne Villoing said:

Merci de ce merveilleux partage Gudrun.++++++++++++
8 weeks ago ( translate )

Gudrun replied to Jocelyne Villoing:

Merci beaucoup, Jocelyne!
8 weeks ago ( translate )

Ko Hummel said:

wusste ich auch nicht, schön das du es zeigst
8 weeks ago ( translate )

Gudrun replied to Ko Hummel:

Besten Dank, Ko!
8 weeks ago ( translate )

Hubs 56 said:

interessanter Blick in die Vergangenheit
8 weeks ago ( translate )

Diana Australis said:

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

Adele said:

Amazing display of a very ancient history!
8 weeks 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..!!
8 weeks ago

Don Sutherland said:

Fantastic shot.
8 weeks ago

Gabi Lombardo said:

etwas gruselig, aber sehr interessant!!
8 weeks ago ( translate )

Mario Vargas said:

All the family, wow
8 weeks ago

Angelofruhr said:

Unglaublich!!
8 weeks ago ( translate )

William Sutherland said:

Incredible shots!
8 weeks ago ( translate )