The Araucanians of Chile believe in a “staircase to heaven” that unites Earth, Heaven and the Star People; the same myth exists in Colombia and Venezuela!
The Chinchorro mummies were first identified in 1917 by the German archaeologist, Max Uhle. Further excavations showed that such mummies were spread along the coast and concentrated between Arica and Camerones. It was in 1983, however, that the largest and best-preserved find of Chinchorro mummies was discovered. This discovery was made not by archaeologists, but by the Arica water company while laying a new pipeline near the foot of El Morro.
How were the Chinchorro Mummies Preserved?
While Uhle initially identified three categories of mummification, showing an increasing complexity over time, archaeologists have since expanded upon his explanation. Accordingly, the two most common methods used in Chinchorro mummification were the Black Mummy and the Red Mummy techniques.
Introduction to Santiago
Located roughly at the halfway point between the most northern and southern extremes of the lengthy country of Chile, Santiago is situated in a fitting location to govern over its significant land mass.
Wedged in a valley between the Andes and the coastal ranges to the west, Santiago has a climate that would be enviable if it weren’t for climatic phenomena known as temperature inversions. In the winter especially, it causes ground-level pollution to get trapped in the lower levels of the valley, burdening what is otherwise an amazing city with perpetual air quality problems.
Despite this challenge, Santiago is far from the boring city that it once was a couple of decades ago – visit here, and you will find no shortage of great restaurants, nightlife options, and shopping opportunities to kick off your visit to Chile in grand fashion.