Chinchorro Mummies: 7020 BCE (oldest one named Acha Man)

The Chinchorro mummies are the oldest examples of artificially mummified human remains, from up to two thousand years before the Egyptians began mummification.

The American Chinchorro culture, found in what is now northern Chile, were a people who lived as sedentary fishers and hunter-gatherers.

Interestingly, Chinchorro tradition performed mummification on all members of their society, not just elites. However, 29% of the known Chinchorro mummies were mummified naturally. 

The earliest Chinchorro mummy is the Acha man, recovered from the Acha valley, which dates to 7020 BCE (radiocarbon dating). 

About 282 Chinchorro mummies have been found by archaeologists.

The German Archaeologist Max Uhle, first documented some of the preserved Chinchorro mummies in 1917, after finding some on a beach.

According to Anthropologist Bernardo Arriaza, the Chinchorro practised intentional mummification as a way to keep the memories of the dead alive. 

Mummification involved making small incisions and removing body organs. Then stuffing the cavity with vegetable fibres or animal hair. Sometimes, the skin would be removed and sewn back on.

Hair was often attached to the mummy, along with a clay mask with slits for the eyes and mouth. 

Red or black paints, made from various minerals, ochre, manganese and iron oxide, were added last.

Some of these mummies can be seen at the San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum.

The oldest known mummy in the world, about 7000 years. Child of 6 years, Chinchorro culture, Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

Chinchorro mummy, Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

Chinchorro mummy, Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino