In the year of 1957, a flood invaded the small town of San Bernardo, Columbia. The flood impacted various public areas and facilities- specifically the town cemetery. Subsequent to the flooding of the cemetery, the local grave workers were forced to find a new location for the remains of the dead bodies. While digging up the bodies, the grave workers discovered that some of the remains had nearly no signs of decay. Eduardo Cifuentes, who was one of the grave diggers, informed the authorities of this discovery. After further examination of the bodies, investigators concluded that the dead must have been naturally mummified. Additionally, the examination showed that the clothing on the dead bodies was in oddly good condition. There were also a number of corpses found that had rotted to mere bone, which was the expected outcome during the relocation process. However, there were also the various bodies that displayed no signs of decomposition. This strange finding raised a lot of questioning and concern throughout the area. Investigators believe that this lack of decay must have been a natural occurrence, as there were no indications of embalming, which is a medical treatment that involves sterilizing a body to protect it from decay (Click here to read more about embalming).
There have been several conclusions drawn regarding the reasoning for the preservation of these corpses. Many believe that the preservations were due to the local diet, which consisted of guatila and balu, which are two fruits that are not common in other parts of the world. To this statement, people argue that a dietary explanation is probably not accurate, as the clothing of the corpses was also in great condition. Another assumption that spectators have made is that the bodies haven’t decomposed due to the climate, as well as the high altitude, of San Bernardo.
Today, these mysterious mummies are on display in a mausoleum that has been built within the town cemetery of San Bernardo. Tourists often pass through the mausoleum to observe the corpses in detail. To this day, the mummies refuse to show any signs of decay.
1. What do you think is the reasoning for the preservation of these dead bodies?
- I personally think that the preservation is due to the climate of San Bernardo. The reason I think this is because I don’t believe that a person’s diet could prevent the decomposition of their corpse for several years.
2. Would you be content with the body of your relative being put on display in a mausoleum?
- I don’t think that I would be content with the corpse of one of my family members being put on display in this mausoleum. I would wish for the body to be buried in a new location and put to rest. I would not want to be reminded of the death of my relative, and would certainly not want hundreds of unknown people examining the corpse with amazement, as death is a somber occurrence.
3. Would you want to go view the displayed mummies in San Bernardo?
- Personally, I think I would like to visit the mausoleum to examine the preserved bodies. However, I would not travel to San Bernardo, Columbia, for that reason alone.
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Replies
Great job Savanna!
That is interesting that you think the cause of the preservation of the corpses is because they were placed in a certain global region. What part of the world do you think the bodies were located in? I don't like seeing dead bodies either. However, I do think that viewing these specific corpses would be interesting.
I think the preservation is due to the climate because if it was due to their diet then atleast their clothes wouldve decayed. If it was one of my relatives I would not be okay with them being on display like that. No i wouldnt want to go and view the displayed mummies.
That is a great point that if the mummies refusal to decompose was caused by their diet, then their clothing would not be in good shape. I would not take a trip to San Bernardo, Columbia, simply to see these corpses in the cemetery. However, if I happened to be in the area, I would like to pass through the musoleum and view the bodies first hand.
I think that climate could play a huge role in the preservation of the dead bodies, but I don't think I would be okay with seeing the bones of my family members who have passed away on display in a museum. I feel like it would be cool to see the "mummies" on display, but I also think that it would be really weird and discomforting because they are bodies of real people.
I agree that climate was most likely the cause of the preservation of the corpses. However, I find it strange that the bodies still show no signs of decomposition currently. I agree that it could be somewhat disturbing to view the mummies because they are indeed corpses of dead people that are hundreds of years old.
I don' tknow enough to give my opinion on why I think the bodies didn't decompose. I would not want a family member/loved one on display if this happened to them because I wouldn't feel like they were respetfully resting in peace. I probably wouldn't want to view the displayed mummies because it feels kinda gross and disrespectful.
I would not want my relative displayed in the San Bernardo musoleum either. I think that different people would likely base their decision on their religious beliefs and practices. Personally, I believe that the dead deserve to have a proper burial service in a cemetery. I can see why you think that viewing the mummies would be disturbing.
In my opinion of why the bodies are still in form is because of the temperature they have the bodies in there I think they probably have them in a colder temperature so the bodies don't compose. I wouldn't want to go to view the mummies because I don't like watching dead people.
I also think that the temperature of the bodies could have impacted their rate of decomposition. However, despite temperature, typical bodies begin to decay shortly after death. So, the fact that these mummies have gone several years without showing signs of decomposition raises questioning. I understand why you wouldn't want to view the mummies, as seeing dead bodies can be quite disturbing.
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