The Araucanians of Chile believe in a “staircase to heaven” that unites Earth, Heaven and the Star People; the same myth exists in Colombia and Venezuela!
The Chinchorro mummies were first identified in 1917 by the German archaeologist, Max Uhle. Further excavations showed that such mummies were spread along the coast and concentrated between Arica and Camerones. It was in 1983, however, that the largest and best-preserved find of Chinchorro mummies was discovered. This discovery was made not by archaeologists, but by the Arica water company while laying a new pipeline near the foot of El Morro.
How were the Chinchorro Mummies Preserved?
While Uhle initially identified three categories of mummification, showing an increasing complexity over time, archaeologists have since expanded upon his explanation. Accordingly, the two most common methods used in Chinchorro mummification were the Black Mummy and the Red Mummy techniques.