Beyond Death -- The Chinchorro Mummies of Ancient Chile
Bernardo T. Arriaza
For thousands of years before the Egyptians mummified their dead, a small tribe of fishermen on the Arica coast of Chile mummified their corpses, using very elaborate methods. Unlike the Egyptians, the Chinchorros mummified everybody -- men, women, children, even fetuses in pregnant mothers who had died. It was an incredible amount of energy for a race which was just a few steps out of the Stone Age. The book contains lots of unearthed details about the lives and deaths of the Chinchorros, as well as a few reflections on death rituals of other, neighboring peoples. It also contains lots of color photographs which will frighten people if they tend to look over your shoulder while you read on the bus. Just look at 'em grinning and say "Planning an early dinner tonight." That'll teach the nosy bastards.
