Bacteria consume ancient mummies
A collection of ancient human bodies from the archaeological museum in the Chilean city of Arica is oozing away. The bodies were naturally mummified by drying in the hot desert climate of northern Chile, but due to high air humidity caused by climate change, 100 of the mummies are being consumed by bacteria, which feast on their’ skin, converting them into a black, jelly-like substance.
Scientists, who have not encountered the phenomenon before, do not know how to stop the decay of the 7,000-year-old Chinchorro mummies. The local authorities hope that UNESCO will make the mummies world heritage, so they can obtain the expertise and the money necessary to preserve the mummies.