The mummies are usually exhibited in the capital of the state of Guanajuato but some were exhibited in the US in 2009
Mexican government experts have announced that they are concerned that a traveling exhibition of 19th century mummies, ‘The Mummies of Guanajuato’ may represent a risk to public health since one of them is developing a variety of fungi that could infect humans, according to the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
The preserved corpses were inadvertently mummified when they were buried in crypts in dry, mineral-rich soil in the state of Guanajuato. Some still have hair, weathered skin, and their original clothing.
“From some of the published photos, at least one of the corpses on display, which was inspected by the institute in November 2021, shows signs of proliferation of possible fungal colonies,” the institute reported.
“It is worrisome that they are still on display without safeguards for the public against biohazards. All of this needs to be carefully studied to see if they are signs of risk for the cultural legacy, as well as for those who manage them and come to see them,” he added.
The mummies are usually exhibited in the capital of the state of Guanajuato but some were exhibited in USA in 2009.
They were preserved naturally, some say because of the climate, the mineral-rich environment, others because of the sealed crypts, although no one knows for sure. They were dug up beginning in the 1860s, because their families could no longer afford burial fees, and were put on display.
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