Researchers have discovered mummies in southern China and Southeast Asia dating back 4,000 to 14,000 years, predating previously known mummies in Peru and Chile by thousands of years. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, examined 54 pre-Neolithic burials across 11 sites. The remains, from hunter-gatherer populations, were smoke-dried before burial, a form of mummification. Experts are impressed by the discovery, highlighting the universality of preservation practices across different cultures and time periods.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.