In the arid coastal desert of northern Chile, archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable collection of mummies, known as the Chinchorro mummies, dating back to 5,000 BCE, making them the oldest artificially mummified remains in the world, predating the Egyptian mummies by over 2,000 years. The Chinchorro people developed an elaborate mummification process that involved removing the internal organs, stuffing the body with plant material and ashes, and then wrapping the body in layers of seaweed, mud, and cloth. These mummies offer a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs and practices of an ancient civilization and provide valuable insights into the origins of mummification.
