Why some of the world's first mummies were children - archaeologists' version

Artificial mummification among the ancient Chinchorro people who lived on the coast of the Atacama Desert may have appeared not as a religious ritual, but as a way to survive the collective trauma and loss of children. This is the conclusion reached by bioarchaeologist Bernardo Arriaza in a study published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal.

According to the scientist, the artistically complex treatment of the bodies of the dead - especially infants - may have served as a form of art therapy, helping parents and the community cope with the pain of loss and maintain an emotional connection with the dead.

Who the Chinchorro are and what they are known for

The Chinchorro people inhabited the coastal areas of present-day Chile some 7000-3500 years ago. They were skilled fishermen, artisans and, as it turns out, some of the earliest mummification masters in human history - long before the Egyptians.

Their mummification ritual was extremely complex: bodies were opened up, internal organs removed, sometimes the soft tissues were removed completely, then the body was re-shaped using fibres, clay and earth. The structures were reinforced with wooden sticks and the surface was covered with pastes of manganese or red ochre, restoring facial features and even genitals.

Mummification as an expression of grief

There are different versions of the origin of this practice, ranging from external influences to localised tradition. However, Arriaza suggests that the first mummies were a form of artistic expression of grief.

According to him, the transformed body became a "canvas" on which ancient people expressed emotions, finding solace and psychological relief. The dead were honoured as visual images, ever-present in the life of the community.

Child mortality and toxic environments

Particularly telling is the predominance of children and infants among the early Chinchorro mummies. In the Camarones Valley, where the oldest finds are found, the water contained extremely high concentrations of arsenic - about 100 times the safe level.

Such contamination, scientists believe, led to miscarriages, infertility and high infant mortality. In a small community, the loss of a newborn could threaten the survival of the family, so grief became a social problem.

Mummification probably helped to symbolically "leave" the dead among the living and to cope with the constant presence of death.

From personal grief to a social ritual

Over time, the practice became more complex and extended to people of all ages and genders, becoming a key element of Chinchorro funerary culture.

Modern researchers increasingly view these mummies not only as archaeological objects, but also as works of art. Recently, they were even included in the Atlas of World Art.

The downside of the ritual: manganese poisoning

However, the ritual may have had negative consequences as well. Analysis of the remains showed elevated levels of manganese in many of the Chinchorro. This is probably due to the regular use of manganese paint in the treatment of the bodies.

Chronic manganese poisoning can cause a condition similar to Parkinson's disease: hallucinations, compulsive behaviour, movement problems, emotional disturbances and loss of facial expressions. Scientists speculate that over time the Chinchorro realised the harms of the substance and switched to using red ochre, marking a new phase in the tradition.

Gender roles in mummification

Arriaza also hypothesises a division of roles: during the "black mummies" period (around 6000-4750 years ago), women may have played a key role - because of their close emotional connection to their dead children. In the later "red mummies" period (4,500-4,000 years ago), associated with demonstrativeness and territorial symbolism, men probably took over the initiative.

The researcher stresses that further bioarchaeological data will help to better understand the social structure and psychological mechanisms of this unique culture.