A group of students made a significant archaeological find during a field trip to Morro de Arica, a high cliff at the end of a coastal mountain range in northern Chile. These students, hailing from an American school in Arica, were engaged in an excavation workshop at the base of El Morro when they discovered a 7,000-year-old mummy. This ancient artifact was likely exposed due to landslides caused by a strong earthquake that hit the region in April.
The Chinchorro Culture: Masters of Mummification
The mummy is believed to be from the Chinchorro culture, an ancient coastal civilization that flourished in what is now northern Chile and southern Peru. This discovery significantly enhances our knowledge of early human societies in the Pacific coastal regions of South America.
The Early Beginnings of Chinchorro Mummification
The Chinchorro culture is notable for its mummification practices, which began over two thousand years before the Egyptians started preserving their dead. The Chinchorro mummies are the oldest known examples of artificially mummified human remains. Radiocarbon dating of a Chinchorro mummy from the Camarones Valley, about 60 miles south of Arica, dates back to 5050 B.C.
Evolution of Mummification Techniques
Over the course of 3,500 years, Chinchorro mummification techniques evolved into three distinct styles: the Black Mummy Technique, the Red Mummy Technique, and the Mud Coat Technique. Each style reflects the cultural and technological progress of the Chinchorro people during their time.
Elaborate Mummification Process
Chinchorro mummification involved an elaborate process. Embalmers would remove internal organs and replace them with vegetable fibers or animal hair. In some cases, they would remove the skin and flesh, replacing them with clay to preserve the body’s structure. This meticulous process ensured the preservation of the dead for millennia. Evidence from shell midden and bone chemistry indicates that 90% of the Chinchorro diet consisted of seafood. While many ancient fisherfolk cultures existed in the arid river valleys of the Andes, the Chinchorro were unique in their dedication to mummifying their dead.
Egalitarian Approach to Preservation
Unlike the ancient Egyptians and other cultures that focused on preserving the elite, the Chinchorro tradition of mummification was remarkably egalitarian. They mummified all members of their society, including the elderly, children, infants, and even miscarried fetuses. This inclusive practice underscores their cultural value of preserving every individual, regardless of their social status or contribution to society.
In many instances, children and babies received the most elaborate mummification treatments. This attention to all members of society, especially the most vulnerable, highlights the unique and inclusive nature of Chinchorro culture.
Insights into the Chinchorro Culture
The discovery of the 7,000-year-old mummy in Chile not only provides a fascinating glimpse into the ancient Chinchorro culture but also enriches our understanding of early human practices in mummification and societal values. As researchers continue to study these ancient remains, we gain more insights into the lives and beliefs of the Chinchorro people, whose legacy continues to captivate and inform the world of archaeology.
