Chinchorro mummies: Climate change threatens world's oldest artifacts

Climate change is a serious threat not only to our environment, but also to ancient artifacts. Recent research suggests it can negatively impact some of the world's oldest mummies, which are found in Chile. These mummies predate those of Egypt and hold valuable information about the Chinchorro culture.

The Chinchorro mummies are the oldest known mummified human remains, remnants of the Chinchorro culture. This partially nomadic, coastal hunter-gatherer society existed between 5450 BC and 890 BC. Among other things, it was distinguished by its unique burial rituals that included mummification. According to the WION service, the mummies from Chile are even older than the Egyptian mummies of the pharaohs and their ornate tombs.

According to Bernardo Arriaza, a professor from the University of Tarapacá, the ancient Chinchorro people began mummifying their dead around 3000 BC, whereas Egyptians started around 2600 BC. The Chilean mummies were discovered at the beginning of the 20th century. According to the Przystanek Nauka service, nearly 300 of them have been found to date, and many have survived until now due to favourable environmental conditions associated with their proximity to the sea and the desert.

The burial sites of the Chinchorro mummies have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to their immense archaeological value. However, these efforts may not be sufficient. The main concern is for the mummies that remain undiscovered beneath the sands of the Atacama Desert. They face threats from climate change.

"If we see an increase in sea surface temperature along the entire coast of northern Chile, this will raise the atmospheric humidity," said Claudio LaTorre, a paleoecologist from the Catholic University of Chile, as quoted by WION. In his opinion, this could lead to decay in places where it is not currently observed, resulting in the irreversible loss of ancient mummies and other valuable artifacts. Archaeologists are deeply concerned and strive to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on mummies and other monuments.