Racer

What are the ethnic foods that you eat on a normal basis?

Vietnamese and Mexican!

31 years old
From Denver, United States
Currently in Denver, United States

Our Curious World

The world is a fascinating place! Working in 23 different countries, Experiential Learning International and our volunteers have seen some crazy stuff.

July 6, 2009

Share |

Choose a Different Location

What's the name of this place? *
Where is it? *

Tips:

zoom in

zoom out

pan map upward

pan map to the left

pan map to the right

pan map downward

* drag the map to move around

* click on the map where the city that you want to add is located

* click on the icon to remove it
Longitude:

Latitude:

Bring Out Your Dead!

What do you think of when you think of mummies? For most people, the idea conjures romantic ideas of Nile river cruises and pyramids, and maybe Boris Karloff and the gilded age of Hollywood. Ancient Egypt, however, is far from the only civilization to utilize these means of preserving their dead however. In fact, mummies found in Southern Peru and Chile date back thousands of years prior to those discovered in Egypt. Archaeologists believe the Chinchorro people began mummifying their dead around 5000 BC, reaching its peak around 3000 BC. In many ways similar to the Egyptian method of mummification, the Chinchorro would remove the vital organs and replace them with vegetable fibers or human hair. In many cases, even the skin was removed and replaced by clay. Unlike the Egyptian civilization, the Chinchorro mummified everybody, children, rich, poor, even fetuses. Visitors can see these mummies displayed throughout museums in Southern Peru. In Ica, one cemetary presents the remains exactly as they were found. Exposed to the elements, and unlike museums or cemetaries in the US, completely unprotected from visitors. Incidentally, it is never a good idea to touch ancient artifacts, whether it be full mummies, or simple bone or cloth fragments. It hurries the process of decay and will eventually deprive future visitors of the opportunity to see these awesome historical pieces.

Experiential Learning International
view other journals

July 2, 2009 Nicaragua
Jul-02-09
1 Photo
July 9, 2009 Laos
Jul-09-09
1 Photo

Report inappropriate journal entry

Shout-out Post a Shout-out

Loading please wait...

Be the first to post on Racer's travel page! If you are a member, log in to leave a shoutout.
Not yet a member? Register now—it’s fast, easy and totally free.