Excavation and preliminary studies of the ancient mummies of Xinjiang in China

Abstract

The dessication of dead bodies in the province of Xinjiang was the result of a natural process, depending on an arid climate, salt-containing soil, tomb caves which were nor completely sealed off, and burials carried out during cold winter periods. The dead bodies and their clothing and funerary articles are generally all well preserved. This is a help in researching and understanding the racial peculiarities of the ancient Xinjiang, their economic activities, clothing and equipment, as well as their views on religion their environment. At present, from a medical point of view, the amount of research performed on these ancient bodies is not satisfactory. Until now, only the mummies of the Leu-lan and Hami women have been dissected. All their viscera were perfectly preserved, but shrunk. In their lungs, there were large amounts of dusts. Analysis by electron microscope permitted a number of conclusions to be drawn relating to the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.