Mummies of Guanajuato: May be a Danger to Tourists

The Mummies of Guanajuato are a collection of naturally preserved human remains that were discovered in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, in the mid-19th century. The mummies have become a popular tourist attraction and are considered to be one of the most significant finds of naturally preserved mummies in the world.

History of the Mummies of Guanajuato

The origins of the Mummies of Guanajuato can be traced back to the cholera epidemic of 1833, which swept through the town of Guanajuato, killing many of its inhabitants. Due to a lack of burial space, many of the bodies were exhumed and stored in the town's cemetery. The high altitude, dry climate, and soil composition of the cemetery created ideal conditions for the natural preservation of the bodies.

In the early 20th century, the cemetery was closed, and the mummies were moved to a nearby museum. The museum soon became a popular tourist attraction, and the mummies became a symbol of the town's history and culture.

Discovery of the Mummies of Guanajuato

The discovery of the Mummies of Guanajuato was accidental, as they were discovered by workers who were renovating the cemetery in the mid-19th century. The workers unearthed the mummies, which were in various stages of decay, and were surprised to find that some of them were remarkably well-preserved.

The workers eventually contacted a local doctor, who began to study the mummies and discovered that their preservation was due to the dry, cool climate of the cemetery. The doctor began to collect the mummies, and they were eventually moved to the museum, where they remain today.

Mummies On Display

According to reports, a Guanajuato Mummy exhibited at a tourism fair in Mexico City exhibited indications of "fungal growths", and the glass enclosure that housed it may have been insufficient to contain the spores from disseminating.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico has issued a warning regarding a traveling exhibition of 19th-century mummies, stating that the display has the potential to transmit a hazardous fungal infection to individuals who observe them. Despite being enclosed in glass cases, experts caution that the casing may not be completely airtight. Any gaps in the glass could permit hazardous fungal spores to escape into the air that visitors inhale.

The majority of the mummies still retain their hair, skin, and even the clothing in which they were interred.

The mummies have been frequent travelers, having been showcased at tourism fairs across Mexico and even exhibited in the United States in 2009.

Significance of the Mummies of Guanajuato

The Mummies of Guanajuato are significant for several reasons. Firstly, they provide a unique insight into the lives and deaths of people from the 19th century. The mummies reveal information about the clothing, hairstyles, and even diseases that afflicted people during this time period.

Secondly, the mummies are a testament to the natural preservation process, which is rare and difficult to achieve. The dry, cool climate of the cemetery created ideal conditions for the preservation of the bodies, and the mummies have remained remarkably well-preserved for over a century.

Finally, the Mummies of Guanajuato have become a symbol of the town's history and culture. They have become a popular tourist attraction and are considered to be one of the most significant finds of naturally preserved mummies in the world.

The mummies have become a significant aspect of Mexican popular culture, resonating with the national holiday "The Day of the Dead".

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Signs of life in mummy exhibit in Mexico have experts worried for those who get close

THE HAUNTING AND HORRIFIC MUMMY MUSEUM OF GUANAJUATO