Final answer:
The Chinchorro culture, residing in what is now coastal Chile and southern Peru, is responsible for creating the oldest known mummies, with practices dating back to around 5000 BCE. This predates Egyptian mummification by at least two thousand years. The Chinchorro's mummification methods evolved, reflecting their connection to their environment and potential shifts in spiritual practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oldest Known Mummies
The culture responsible for preparing the oldest known mummies in the world was the Chinchorro culture. These ancient people lived in what is now coastal Chile and southern Peru. The practice of mummification by the Chinchorro predates the Egyptian mummies by at least two thousand years, with the oldest Chinchorro mummy discovered dating back to around 5000 BCE. Unlike the Egyptians, who primarily mummified royalty and the elite, the Chinchorro people applied the technique broadly across their society.
The Chinchorro mummies are evidence of the connection between culture and environment. These ancient people lived as fishers and in a coastal region where the conditions were conducive to natural mummification. Over time, their mummification techniques evolved, beginning with painting the bodies black to later adopting a red pigment, with changes in the methods for removing organs and preparing bodies for burial. This evolution reflects both technological advancements and possibly changes in their spiritual beliefs or societal structures.