<strong>A ritualistic burial. </strong>Many Chinchorro mummies were laid to rest with clay masks and wigs -- a complex burial act for the hunter-gatherers who created them.
A ritualistic burial. Many Chinchorro mummies were laid to rest with clay masks and wigs -- a complex burial act for the hunter-gatherers who created them.
Mark Johanson
<strong>A deadly desert environment. </strong>Mummification began with fetuses and children before progressing over the years to include adults, too. Physical anthropologist Bernardo Arriaza surmises that this may be due to high infant mortality in the arsenic-rich desert in which the Chinchorro lived.
A deadly desert environment. Mummification began with fetuses and children before progressing over the years to include adults, too. Physical anthropologist Bernardo Arriaza surmises that this may be due to high infant mortality in the arsenic-rich desert in which the Chinchorro lived.
Mark Johanson
<strong>Chile's northernmost outpost.</strong> The modern-day city of Arica lies on top of an ancient cemetery of the Chinchorro culture. It's not uncommon for construction teams to come across mummies when building new homes.
Chile's northernmost outpost. The modern-day city of Arica lies on top of an ancient cemetery of the Chinchorro culture. It's not uncommon for construction teams to come across mummies when building new homes.
Mark Johanson
<strong>El Morro. </strong>El Morro is a 455-foot (139m) flat-topped hill that looms above the city of Arica. Many of the most elaborate mummies were found on its slopes.
El Morro. El Morro is a 455-foot (139m) flat-topped hill that looms above the city of Arica. Many of the most elaborate mummies were found on its slopes.
Mark Johanson
<strong>Hotel Apacheta.</strong> The wood-built Hotel Apacheta overlooks the sea about a mile south of Arica. It lies next to some of the nicest beaches in northern Chile.
Hotel Apacheta. The wood-built Hotel Apacheta overlooks the sea about a mile south of Arica. It lies next to some of the nicest beaches in northern Chile.
Mark Johanson
<strong>The mummy museum. </strong>The San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum holds the largest collection of Chinchorro mummies. It plans to expand in 2020 to display more of its artifacts.
The mummy museum. The San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum holds the largest collection of Chinchorro mummies. It plans to expand in 2020 to display more of its artifacts.
Mark Johanson
<strong>Art in the desert.</strong> Sculptures from local artists Paola Pimentel and Johnny Vásquez line the road between Arica and Caleta Camarones, linking the two pillars of a proposed World Heritage Site.
Art in the desert. Sculptures from local artists Paola Pimentel and Johnny Vásquez line the road between Arica and Caleta Camarones, linking the two pillars of a proposed World Heritage Site.
Mark Johanson
<strong>An ancient cemetery. </strong>The oldest known mummies in the world were found on the barren slopes of Caleta Camarones, a remote fishing cove in the Atacama Desert.
An ancient cemetery. The oldest known mummies in the world were found on the barren slopes of Caleta Camarones, a remote fishing cove in the Atacama Desert.
Mark Johanson
<strong>Buried bones.</strong> A rare rainstorm in February unearthed Chinchorro burial sites near the community of Caleta Camarones. The fishermen who live there re-bury bones and other artifacts to deter grave robbers.
Buried bones. A rare rainstorm in February unearthed Chinchorro burial sites near the community of Caleta Camarones. The fishermen who live there re-bury bones and other artifacts to deter grave robbers.
Mark Johanson
<strong>A living legacy.</strong> Jorge Ardiles, president of the local fishermen's union, runs tours from Caleta Camarones showing how modern-day residents carry on the fishing traditions of the Chinchorro people -- albeit, with modern technology.
A living legacy. Jorge Ardiles, president of the local fishermen's union, runs tours from Caleta Camarones showing how modern-day residents carry on the fishing traditions of the Chinchorro people -- albeit, with modern technology.
Mark Johanson
<strong>An expert view. </strong>Chilean anthropologist Veronica Silva shows one of the mummies from the ancient Chinchorro culture at the National Museum of Natural History in Santiago, Chile.
An expert view. Chilean anthropologist Veronica Silva shows one of the mummies from the ancient Chinchorro culture at the National Museum of Natural History in Santiago, Chile.
MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>On display in Santiago. </strong>A group of Chinchorro mummies dated between 5000 B.C. and 3000 B.C.- are reflected on a mirror while on display during a 2008 exhibition in La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago.
On display in Santiago. A group of Chinchorro mummies dated between 5000 B.C. and 3000 B.C.- are reflected on a mirror while on display during a 2008 exhibition in La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago.
Claudio Santana/AFP/Getty Images