A natural mummy that is 100 years old and rare has been discovered in Colombia.
In Colombia, an extraordinary natural mummy, believed to be approximately 100 years old, has recently been unearthed. This remarkable discovery holds great potential for shedding light on the practices and customs of the ancient inhabitants of the region during the time when the mummy was created. As such, it is expected to captivate the attention of historians, archaeologists, and the broader scientific community.
Scientists are still grappling with the enigma surrounding more than a dozen natural mummies discovered within tombs nestled high in the Colombian mountains. Astounding photographs reveal the impressive preservation of these natural mummies, providing a glimpse into a bygone era in San Bernardo, Colombia.
Mummification is a deliberate process of preserving the body after death, usually achieved through intentional desiccation and the application of chemical substances. However, the bodies found in San Bernardo were unintentionally embalmed, resulting in their exceptional state of preservation.
Approximately 10 additional bodies are estimated to lie within the mausoleum, situated in the Andes Mountains, roughly 40 miles southwest of the Colombian capital, Bogota.
Scientists have yet to discover a definitive explanation for the exceptional preservation observed in these mummies. Some experts theorize that the local climate and altitude may have a favorable impact on the chemical composition of the soil, potentially acting as a natural embalming agent.
Local residents, on the other hand, attribute the remarkable preservation of the mummies to the diet of the ancient indigenous population. They believe that a diet rich in guatila, a green fruit adorned with thorns, and abundant in vitamin C, contributed to the preservation process. Another vegetable that has been implicated in preserving deceased bodies is balu, a large-sized bean resembling a kidney bean.
However, this dietary theory fails to account for the relatively well-preserved state of the mummies’ clothing.
These mummies, estimated to be around 100 years old, are primarily identified through individual plaques displaying personal characteristics positioned above each body. For instance, one mummy is identified as Margarita, described as a devoted homemaker known for her skill in making cornbread and brewing coffee for everyone.
Examining the countenance of the mummified bodies, some appear serene, as if they peacefully departed from this world, while others bear more somber expressions. Among the bodies are children, some still clothed and wearing shoes.
After meticulous cleaning, the mummies are now exhibited within glass cabinets, showcased in a dedicated section of a small Colombian town.
Experts point out that a similar natural mummification process has been observed in Guanajuato, Mexico. This particular region is characterized by subterranean gas and a unique chemical composition in the soil, responsible for the preservation of bodies found there.
The mummies discovered in Guanajuato date back to the first half of the 19th century, while those found in San Bernardo are approximately 100 years old.
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