Forget Egypt—the world’s oldest mummies, dating back 7,000 years, were found in Chile’s Atacama Desert. 🏜
These incredible remains belong to the Chinchorro people, a fishing culture that began mummifying their dead around 5000 BC. That’s a full 2,000 years before the first Egyptian pharaohs were ever preserved.
But the biggest difference wasn’t the age, it was the purpose. While Egyptians reserved mummification for their kings and elites, the Chinchorro believed everyone deserved this final honor.
They preserved all members of their society. Men, women, children, and even unborn babies were carefully mummified, showing a deep respect for every life.
This was not an accident of the dry climate. The Chinchorro developed complex techniques. They would remove organs, reinforce the body with sticks, and fill the cavities with clay and plant fibers.
They would then reattach the skin and often place a clay mask on the face, which was painted with black or red pigments. It was a true art form born from reverence for their loved ones. đź“ś
The preservation of these bodies was certainly helped by the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, but it was their deliberate and skillful process that makes them true mummies.
In 2021, UNESCO officially recognized the significance of these discoveries, designating the Chinchorro settlements and mummification sites as a World Heritage Site.
Their traditions provide a unique window into an ancient society that valued every person equally, even in death.
Sources: Chile Travel, The World, World History Commons
