Settlement and Artificial Mummification of the Chinchorro Culture

The Chinchorro people were a pre-Columbian coastal fishing tribe native to the arid northern regions of the Arica and Parinacota regions. They lived there between 6000 and 200 BCE before disappearing due to outside influences and natural disasters. However, their extraordinary mummification practices have been passed down from one generation to another until the present day. 

The Chinchorro mummies are some of the most spectacular examples of artificial mummification. Their preservation techniques are so advanced that even today’s medical experts find them hard to believe. However, these practices have been handed down from one generation to another for more than 5,000 years until the present day.

The Chinchorro Culture in the Arica and Parinacota Region

The Chinchorro Culture in the Arica were a pre-Columbian coastal fishing tribe native to the arid northern regions of the Arica and Parinacota Region. They lived there between 6000 and 200 BCE before disappearing due to outside influences and natural disasters. Their name is derived from “chinchorro”, the Spanish word for “flounder.” 

This tribe followed a typical hunter-gatherer lifestyle in ancient times by fishing and harvesting seafood. The Chinchorro people’s settlements were located on the coast of the Arica and Parinacota region, where they could reach the ocean. Their territories also included the Atacama Desert and the high Andean foothills. Due to the extreme climate conditions in these areas, the Chinchorro people had to adapt.

Mummification Rituals, Settlement and Artificial Mummification

The Chinchorro people were the first human beings to practice Settlement and Artificial Mummification. As a result, their mummies are some of the most spectacular examples of artificial mummification. The Chinchorro mummies are some of the most spectacular examples of artificial mummification. Their preservation techniques are so advanced that even today’s medical experts find them hard to believe. 

However, these practices have been handed down from one generation to another for more than 5,000 years until the present day. The first step of mummification was to keep the deceased’s body as dry as possible, and this was done by removing excess bodily liquids using a special technique called “Raspacado”. 

This was achieved by covering the deceased person’s body with a fine powder made of the mineral gypsum (calcium sulphate). The powder was then scraped off, along with the liquids that had formed on the body. This process was repeated several times until the body became completely dry. The second step was to eliminate all traces of microorganisms from the body by placing them in a dark, dry, and warm environment.

A Detailed Look at the Chinchorro Mummification Process

The artificial mummification process lasted two years and reflected the dead’s fundamental role in Chinchorro society. The following are the steps that the Chinchorro people followed to preserve their deceased loved ones: 

• Choosing the Location of Burial – The first step was choosing a high and dry place for burial. This place had to be far away from the sea since it is an environment full of microorganisms
• Wrapping the Body in Nasca Leaves – After the body had dried out completely, it was wrapped in Nasca leaves (a plant that grows in the desert). It was wrapped from head to toe to keep the microorganisms away from the skin 
• Laying the Body Down Without any Pressure – The deceased was laid down on their back without any pressure being exerted on the body. This step was crucial since it allowed the skin to dry out completely
• Burying the Body in a Hole – After about a year, the skin had dried out completely. The body was then buried in a hole. The hole had to be covered with stones to keep the microorganisms away 
• Removing the Body After Two Years – After two years, the body was taken out of the ground. The skin was completely dried out and had become a darkish brown colour. The process of natural decay had come to a standstill. This was the result of the chemicals found in the Nasca leaves. The deceased had been transformed into a mummy

Determination of Cause of Death Before Mummification

The Chinchorro people’s mummification practices differed from one generation to another. The first generation of Chinchorro people whose corpses were found was naturally mummified. However, the following generations chose to bury their loved ones before natural mummification occurred, which was done to practice artificial mummification. 

To determine the cause of death, the Chinchorro people cut open the corpse and examined it. This is why some mummies have been found with cuts on them. Since the Chinchorro people were excellent scientists, they followed all the research rules. They took samples from the deceased and examined them to determine their cause of death. To perform this procedure, the Chinchorro people needed to have jars made of clay.

Wrapping With Nasca Leaves Before Artificial Mummification

The Chinchorro people wrapped their deceased loved ones with Nasca leaves before artificial mummification. These leaves are extremely alkaline and have a high pH level, meaning they have a high concentration of hydrogen ions. The high pH level of the leaves prevented the natural decay of the bodies and the formation of microorganisms. The leaves’ alkalinity also helped preserve the deceased’s internal organs.

Conclusion:

The Chinchorro mummies are part of the archaeological heritage of the Northern Arica y Parinacota Region. This culture is known for its artificial mummification and burial rituals, practised pre-Columbian until about AD 1700.

Spanish explorer ManuelCF first observed the preservation of human remains through artificial mummification.