Archaeologists in Chile are working to preserve mummies that are among the oldest in the world, dating back 5,000 years. This is 2,000 years older than Egyptian mummies.
The mummies were discovered in Chile’s Atacama Desert, where the extremely dry conditions naturally mummified bodies. The ancient Chinchorro people who lived there began intentionally mummifying their dead.
Some mummies and artifacts are housed in museums, but many remain undiscovered in the desert. Rising temperatures and humidity due to climate change put the preserved remains at risk of decomposition.
Archaeologists are racing to find and study mummies and clues about Chinchorro culture before they are lost. UNESCO has designated the area as a World Heritage Site but that may not be enough to save all the relics.
More resources are needed to protect mummies still in the desert. Archaeologists hope increased awareness will lead to further preservation efforts for these oldest mummies in the world.
Source: CBS News
