Archaeologists have reported the discovery of what may be the oldest mummies ever found, dating back as far as 12,000 years. The findings were announced this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Human remains were uncovered in China and Vietnam, with additional examples from the Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The bodies were placed in crouched or squatted positions, and some displayed cuts and burn marks. Researchers suggested that hunter-gatherer groups in these regions smoke-dried the bodies over fire to preserve them. This challenges the earlier belief that the oldest mummification was carried out by the Chinchorro people in South America about 7,000 years ago. The study indicated that the practice served cultural and spiritual purposes, offering families a way to remember their ancestors and keep traditions sustained and preserved.

The investigation revealed that heat exposure and careful preparation were central to this preservation method. Experts explained that this process allowed communities to maintain a lasting bond with the dead. One researcher described the discovery as an epochal finding for the study of funerary practices, while another highlighted its heuristic value in understanding human history. However, scholars noted that dating methods require more testing, and not all sites showed consistent smoke-drying. Despite such constraints, the discovery demonstrated how prehistoric societies expressed transcendence and deep respect through ritual. Specialists agreed that the evidence provides an edifying view of resilience and an invaluable perspective on how ancient people managed mortality. The study also emphasized that smoke-drying is still practiced in some Indigenous communities in Australia and Papua New Guinea, showing that the tradition remains relevant, significant, notable, and remarkable in the modern world.