Summary:
- Researchers have discovered the world's oldest mummies, dating back over 10,000 years, in China and Southeast Asia. These mummies were not preserved through traditional embalming methods, but rather by being "smoke-dried" over a fire.
- The smoke-drying process helped preserve the bodies, which were found in rock shelters and caves. This method was likely used to prevent the bodies from decomposing in the hot, humid climate of the region.
- The discovery of these ancient mummies provides valuable insights into the burial practices and cultural traditions of some of the earliest human civilizations in Asia, shedding light on how our ancestors cared for their dead.