Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Mexican experts say mummy exhibit may pose health risks
March 30, 2023
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican government experts said Thursday they are concerned that a traveling display of mummies from the 1800s may pose a health risk to the public.
The preserved corpses were unintentionally mummified when they were buried in crypts in dry, mineral-rich soil in the state of Guanajuato. Some still have hair, leathery skin and their original clothing.
But the National Institute of Anthropology and History said in a statement that one of the mummies also appears to have fungal growths.
...
https://apnews.com/article/mexico-guanajuato-mummies-health-risk-3fe2e7a8c00cd2ae806d3ea71ba82b92
------------------------------------------
Translation Google
The INAH distances itself from possible damages to the patrimony of Guanajuatenses
Created: March 31, 2023
*** The institution at no time received a request for authorization or advice for the handling and transfer of the mummified bodies exhibited in the 2023 Tourist Tianguis
*** This type of remains requires careful, specialized and responsible handling, so the authorities responsible for its protection are invited to contact us based on the regulations
BULLETIN 179
Guanajuato has one of the most extraordinary heritage that a city can have and to the pride of its inhabitants, it is known worldwide. The mummified bodies, from the Santa Paula pantheon, better known as "Lasmummiesde Guanajuato", have acquired importance not only because of their natural preservation, but also because they are ancient inhabitants of this city, whose remains have endured and have unique characteristics that allow us to tell their story.
With the objective of establishing an academic collaboration for the benefit of said heritage, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) formed a commission of specialists to attend to the problems that it presents in the field of its protection, management and conservation, but, above all, for the dignity of the mummified bodies. This commission has been collaborating with the INAH Guanajuato Center and the city's municipal authorities.
Since the first intervention, recommendations have been issued regarding its management, since it is a very peculiar heritage that requires specialized attention.
In relation to the exhibition of the mummified bodies in the 47 Tianguis Turístico 2023, the INAH is unaware of the objective of its presence, as well as of the project related to the movement and exhibition in this event. This institution at no time received a request for authorization or advice for handling and transfer, as well as environmental conditions during their stay at the fairgrounds.
From some photographs published in the media, it has been observed that at least one of the bodies shown, registered by the INAH in November 2021, shows signs of proliferation of possible fungal colonies. The foregoing is worrying and strange that an assessment of such bodies has not been called before their transfer.
It is even more worrying that they are on display without biosafety conditions for the public that visits them. All of the above must be carefully analyzed to understand if such indications represent a risk both for the heritage bodies, as well as for those who manage them and for those who visit them.
For all of the above, the INAH disclaims any damage caused to the bodies during their transfer, handling and exhibition, as well as the damage that possible pathogens may cause due to a lack of control in the minimum care essential for their exposure.
The institute reiterates that this type of remains require careful, specialized and responsible handling, for which reason the authorities responsible for their protection are invited to contact them based on the current regulations in this regard, and once again express their willingness to collaborate in benefit of the patrimony of the people of Guanajuato, a debt that remains unpaid.
https://www.inah.gob.mx/boletines/e...los-guanajuatenses?highlight=WyJtb21pYXMiXQ==
March 30, 2023
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican government experts said Thursday they are concerned that a traveling display of mummies from the 1800s may pose a health risk to the public.
The preserved corpses were unintentionally mummified when they were buried in crypts in dry, mineral-rich soil in the state of Guanajuato. Some still have hair, leathery skin and their original clothing.
But the National Institute of Anthropology and History said in a statement that one of the mummies also appears to have fungal growths.
...
https://apnews.com/article/mexico-guanajuato-mummies-health-risk-3fe2e7a8c00cd2ae806d3ea71ba82b92
------------------------------------------
Translation Google
The INAH distances itself from possible damages to the patrimony of Guanajuatenses
Created: March 31, 2023
*** The institution at no time received a request for authorization or advice for the handling and transfer of the mummified bodies exhibited in the 2023 Tourist Tianguis
*** This type of remains requires careful, specialized and responsible handling, so the authorities responsible for its protection are invited to contact us based on the regulations
BULLETIN 179
Guanajuato has one of the most extraordinary heritage that a city can have and to the pride of its inhabitants, it is known worldwide. The mummified bodies, from the Santa Paula pantheon, better known as "Lasmummiesde Guanajuato", have acquired importance not only because of their natural preservation, but also because they are ancient inhabitants of this city, whose remains have endured and have unique characteristics that allow us to tell their story.
With the objective of establishing an academic collaboration for the benefit of said heritage, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) formed a commission of specialists to attend to the problems that it presents in the field of its protection, management and conservation, but, above all, for the dignity of the mummified bodies. This commission has been collaborating with the INAH Guanajuato Center and the city's municipal authorities.
Since the first intervention, recommendations have been issued regarding its management, since it is a very peculiar heritage that requires specialized attention.
In relation to the exhibition of the mummified bodies in the 47 Tianguis Turístico 2023, the INAH is unaware of the objective of its presence, as well as of the project related to the movement and exhibition in this event. This institution at no time received a request for authorization or advice for handling and transfer, as well as environmental conditions during their stay at the fairgrounds.
From some photographs published in the media, it has been observed that at least one of the bodies shown, registered by the INAH in November 2021, shows signs of proliferation of possible fungal colonies. The foregoing is worrying and strange that an assessment of such bodies has not been called before their transfer.
It is even more worrying that they are on display without biosafety conditions for the public that visits them. All of the above must be carefully analyzed to understand if such indications represent a risk both for the heritage bodies, as well as for those who manage them and for those who visit them.
For all of the above, the INAH disclaims any damage caused to the bodies during their transfer, handling and exhibition, as well as the damage that possible pathogens may cause due to a lack of control in the minimum care essential for their exposure.
The institute reiterates that this type of remains require careful, specialized and responsible handling, for which reason the authorities responsible for their protection are invited to contact them based on the current regulations in this regard, and once again express their willingness to collaborate in benefit of the patrimony of the people of Guanajuato, a debt that remains unpaid.
https://www.inah.gob.mx/boletines/e...los-guanajuatenses?highlight=WyJtb21pYXMiXQ==