POLICE have uncovered a creepy well-preserved mummy hidden in an alleged smuggler’s house after a shock raid.
The mummy is thought to be that of a Christian person from the Middle Ages.
Video from local authorities show the remains with its arms crossed.
It’s thought the unusual possession was destined for sale on the black market.
A house in the historic city of Niğde, Turkey, was busted as part of a crackdown on illegal trafficking of valuable archaeological relics.
Six suspects were detained by authorities, according to Turkish press.
The ancient mummy has now been handed over to experts for thorough analysis.
Turkey is rich with historical sites making it a target for artefact smuggling.
More than 26,000 cultural assets, including rare coins and sculptures, have been reclaimed by Turkey since 1980.
“As a result of a successful operation carried out by our Niğde Provincial Gendarmerie Command within the scope of combating cultural and natural asset smuggling, individuals trying to sell a historical mummy in Kemerhisar town of Bor district were detected and caught,” the Niğde Governorship said.
“As a result of the operation, a male-looking mummy, determined to belong to a Christian person from the Middle Ages, was seized at the residence of a person named HG, and a total of 6 suspects were detained in connection with the incident.
“We would like to thank our Gendarmerie for their devoted efforts to protect our country’s cultural heritage and congratulate them for their successful operations.
“We emphasise once again that we will continue to protect our cultural heritage with determination.”
The gruelling task of mummifcation
The ancient Egyptians are famed for mummifying their dead, including pharaohs like Tutankhamun.
But contrary to popular belief they weren’t the first.
The Chinchorro people from Chile’s Atacama Desert are thought to be the first some 7,000 years ago – pre-dating the Egyptians’ by 2,000 years.
As far as Egyptian mummification goes, the process took a staggering seventy days.
It was carried out by priests who would embalm, treat and wrap the body.
Firstly, they had to remove the internal organs – except for the heart, as this was believed to be the person’s being and intelligence.
The brain was pulled out of the skull in bits via the nose using a special hooked tool.
Source: Smithsonian
