Scientists have found remains of mummies in Southeast Asia that are about twelve thousand years old. They are probably the oldest mummies ever discovered. The human remains were smoked and dried over a fire to be able to keep them for a long time.
It concerns archaeological finds in eleven places in China and countries in Southeast Asia. The researchers found remains of mummies that were buried in a squatted position. The scientists have published their research in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
It was striking that the mummified bodies showed cutting spores and burns. That led to the conclusion that the bodies had dried and smoked over a fire and then stored them for a long time. The researchers could also deduce from the bones that the bodies were exposed to long -term heat.
This technique of drying and smoking is nowadays still used by indigenous residents of Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Hunters-gatherers during that period mummified the deceased “to keep a physical and spiritual bond,” one of the researchers involved told AP news agency.
With an old age of twelve thousand years, it would be the oldest mummy residues ever found. Until now, mummies of a people who lived in present -day Chile and Peru were the oldest acquaintance.
The world’s best-known mummies, from Egypt, are ‘only’ four to five thousand years old. The Egyptians balanced their mummies. In addition, the moisture was extracted from the body with salt, after which the body was smeared with oil and resin.
Scientists in Southeast Asia Have Found Remains of Mummies That Are Approximately Twelve Thousand Years Old. These are Believert to Be the Oldest Mummies ever discovered. The Human Remains Were Smoked and Dried about A Fire to Preserve Them for a Long Time.
These are archaeological finds in Eleven Locations in China and Countries in Southeast Asia. There, Researchers Found Remains of Mummies That Were Buried in a Squatting Position. The Scientists have published Their Research in the Scientific Journals of the National Academy of Sciences .
Remarkly, The Mummified Bodies Showed Cuts and Burns. This led to the conclusion that the bodies were three and smoked about a fire to preserve them for a long time afterward. The Researchers were also able to deduce from the bones that the bodies had Been exhibited to prolonged heat.
This Technique of Drying and Smoking is Still Used Today by Indigenous Inhabitants of Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Hunter-Gatherers in That Period Mummified the deceased “to Preserve a Physical and Spiritual Bond,” One of the Researchers Involved Told News Agency AP .
At Twelve Thousand Years Old, These would be the oldest Mummy Remains ever Found. Until now, mummies from a people living in present-day Chile and Peru Were the Oldest Known.
The World’s Most Famous Mummies, From Egypt, are ‘Only’ Four to Five Thousand Years Old. The Egyptians Embalmed Their Mummies. In Doing So, The Moisture was extracted from the body with Salt, after which the body was smeared with oil and resin.