Ürümchi mummies, Tarim mummies, Tarim Basin mummies, Cherchen
mummies, Loulan mummies, Taklimakan Desert mummies, Lopnur mummies,
Qumul mummies, Turpan mummies
The mummies of the Xinjiang
region were found in the driest, saltiest part of
Central Asia--in Chinese Turkestan (wedged between Kazakhstan and Mongolia)--around the towns
of Cherchen and Loulan. They have many names, depending on the specific
geographic area of Xinjiang in which they were found. But all come from the
region of Xinjiang.
Dating as far back as 4,000 years, they
were made by accident--naturally--by the dry climate in the salty Tarim basin. The oldest
mummies from Cherchen found so far died about 3,000 years ago, while the oldest mummies
found near Loulan died about 4,000 years ago.
Bodies buried in the sandy desert (most
likely in winter) froze (or at least got very cold quite quickly) and dried out before
they could begin to rot. By the time summer (and high temperatures) arrived, the
bodies had become mummified. Because they were already dried, the summer's heat would not
cause them to deteriorate.
These bodies were placed in bottomless
coffins which allowed good air circulation--this enabled the body to dry out
completely. (Other nearby bodies, most likely buried when the temperature wasn't
cold, turned into skeletons.)
The composition of the soil (high in
salt) speeded the drying out process, since the salt sucked the moisture from the
atmosphere (and the bodies).
The Cherchen mummies include Cherchen
Man (called the man with ten hats by Elizabeth Wayland Barber), Cherchen Woman, two other
women, and an infant wrapped in a beautiful brown cloth tied with red and blue cord. The
infant was buried with a "baby bottle" made from a sheep's udder; each of its
eyes was covered with a blue stone.
The Loulan mummies (actually from
Qäwrighul near the town of Loulan) include the Beauty of Loulan and a few other mummies
including an eight-year-old child wrapped in a piece of patterned wool cloth and closed
with bone pegs. The wool clothing from Loulan seems to be much less colorful (in much more
neutral, earth-tone colors--though fading could have occurred), but it is no less
impressive in its patterns and weaves.
Scientists believe that many more
naturally mummified bodies may be found in the area.
What's special about them
The Cherchen mummies are known for their
degree of preservation (far better than most Egyptian mummies), their colorful clothing,
and their Caucasian features. Their burial fabrics (in unusual patterns and woven in
unusual ways) and their Caucasian features suggest that they (and/or their ancestors) had
come from Celtic tribes in Central Europe. Why had they ended up in China?
Were they nomads? Were they adventurers? Were they raiders and robbers?
The Cherchen and Loulan mummies are
exhibited at the Provincial Museum of Ürümchi.
Where to find more information about
Ancient Corpses of Xinjiang: The Peoples of Ancient Xinjiang and Their
Culture is the latest
book about the Silk Road mummies, published in China
Mummies of Ürümchi is
a thorough investigation of the mummies
and their clothing (the Cherchen cloth is especially colorful after so many
years). It's also a great read. Many b&w photos and
illustrations, including 16 color plates. Many of the stunning photos come from those shown
in Discover (April 1994).
Tarim Mummies expands on Barber's work and presents four "groups" of mummies
found in the general area of Turkestan (including those from Ürümchi).
Though not as eloquent, this book covers more territory and
includes new information (as well as photos and illustrations).
Mummy Congress also
discusses the mummies in a chapter that includes an interview with
Victor Mair. Includes three photos (the same as in Barber), but the text
clearly presents the political implications of the discovery.
Also worth a look are Archaeology
(March/April 1995), Discover (April 1994), and National Geographic (March 1996).