12,000-Year-Old Mummies Found in Southeast Asia

Why this is here: The mummies discovered in Southeast Asia are more than 5,000 years older than the previously known oldest examples—the Chinchorro mummies of Chile, which are approximately 7,000 years old.

Archaeologists from the Australian National University discovered eleven archaeological sites in Southeast Asia containing human remains preserved for over 12,000 years. The team found evidence these bodies were intentionally mummified using controlled smoke and heat. This discovery, named the top archaeological find of the year by National Geographic, pushes back the timeline of intentional mummification by roughly 5,000 years, surpassing previous finds from Chile and Egypt.

The bodies weren’t preserved naturally, but through a deliberate process of slow smoking and heat exposure. This technique worked despite the high humidity common to tropical regions, which typically accelerate decomposition. The sites are scattered across Southeast Asia, suggesting the practice was widespread, not limited to one group.

Researchers analyzed bone and organic fragments with chemical tests to confirm their findings. While the discovery reveals sophisticated rituals among ancient hunter-gatherer groups, it also raises questions about whether similar practices arose independently in different parts of the world or through very early cultural exchange. Further investigation will continue to explore these connections.