Photo: Wenying Li, Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology | Tarim mummies whose bodies were buried in boat-shaped coffins in the middle of the desert
At the end of the last century in China, scientists discovered Tarim mummies whose bodies were buried in boat-shaped coffins in the middle of the desert. Thanks to the dry air, they were perfectly preserved and scientists were able to conduct genetic analysis.
In 1990, scientists stumbled upon a unique find in the desert in northwestern China - mummies from the Tarim Basin. These mummies, up to 4,000 years old, were found in boat-shaped coffins covered with cow hides, which were perfectly preserved by the dry desert air, writes Arkeonews.
What is striking is not only the preservation of the bodies and clothing of these ancient people, but also the surprising conclusions about their origin. Contrary to the assumption that they were migrants who brought Western technology with them, recent research shows that these mummies were actually locals with deep roots in the area.
Genetic analysis of 13 well-preserved mummies dating from 2100 to 1700 BC provides clues to their origins. They turned out to be the remnants of an ancient population that disappeared in Eurasia after the last ice age. This population was the ancestor of the indigenous peoples living today in Siberia and America.
Photo: Wenying Li, Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
What's even more exciting is the evidence of cultural exchange. Even though these mummies were local people who did not intermarry with neighboring migrant pastoralists, they were not culturally isolated. By about 4,000 years ago, they had already adopted new ideas and culture, including woven woolen clothing, irrigation systems, growing non-native grains such as wheat and millet, herding sheep, goats, and even making cheese from cattle's milk.
The mystery deepens when it comes to their burial practices.
Found in boats covered in cattle hides with oars on their heads, this unique burial method sets them apart from others. Although it is unclear why they were buried this way - the practice is rare in the region and is reminiscent of Viking burials.
Contrary to previous theories that suggested the mummies may have belonged to shepherds from Central Asia or early farmers of the Iranian plateau, the study disproves these claims. Christina Vorinner, study author and professor of anthropology at Harvard University, noted the exceptional nature of the mummies: "The mummies have long fascinated scientists and the public since their first discovery. In addition to being extremely well preserved, they were found in a very unusual context, and they demonstrate diverse and far-reaching cultural elements."
The study also challenges the idea that a population cannot be genetically isolated while remaining culturally cosmopolitan. Researchers examined the genomes of people from the Junggar and Tarim basins, finding clear local ancestry despite cultural diversity.
Mummies from the Tarim Basin provide a unique glimpse into a population that defies conventional expectations. Their amazing genetic roots, cultural adaptability and mysterious burial practices continue to fascinate scientists, shedding light on the region's rich and complex history.