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Unique collaboration between Eurac Research and Bolivian Government

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06 July 22

Unique collaboration between Eurac Research and Bolivian Government

Groundbreaking study of Bolivia’s rich bioarcheological record now underway


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An inter-institutional cooperation agreement between the Eurac Research Institute for Mummy Studies in Bolzano, Italy and the Plurinational State of Bolivia’s Ministry of Cultures, Decolonization and Despatriarchalization has just been signed to establish a collaboration for the research and conservation of the Bolivian cultural heritage. In addition, the Institute of Mummies developed, constructed, and donated 10 long-term conservation chambers to safeguard the mummified remains of pre-Columbian individuals housed at MUNARQ - the National Museum of Archaeology in La Paz.

Bolivia’s museums house a wealth of pottery, lithics and metalwork, yet bioarcheological research in Bolivia is currently not as well-developed as its classical archaeological counterpart where until now, predominant focus has been on traditional artifacts. In La Paz’s National Museum of Archaeology, a substantial piece of Bolivia’s bioarcheological record has for the past 50 years, been awaiting investigation: almost 50 complete mummified bodies and more than 500 human skulls. The partnership between the museum in La Paz and the Eurac Research Institute for Mummy Studies was proposed by Seal of Excellence researcher Guido Valverde, himself from Bolivia. The ongoing project will review this valuable bioarcheological information through Computer Tomography analysis to gain insights into the lifestyles and pathologies that affected these individuals. A particular focus will be given to analyzing the presence of atherosclerosis - until now thought of as a modern disease but for which there is evidence that the pathology is in fact an inherent component of human aging. Paleogenetic DNA analysis will also reveal the genetic diversity of these ancient South American human populations and provide valuable insights into the interactions between genetics, environment, lifestyle, and their impact the health of these individuals for the first time.

At the press conference which took place in La Paz, which brought together Institute Head Albert Zink and The Plurinational State of Bolivia’s Minister of Cultures, Sabina Orellana, Zink highlighted “It is a unique occasion and highly important to have the collaboration with someone who comes from Bolivia and be able to work on directly on these individuals here in La Paz.” The signing of the agreement has cemented the alliance between the Italian and Bolivian Institutes and the multidisciplinary team of biologists, cardiologists, conservationists, anthropologists, and archaeologists. He went on to add “The opportunities presented here will enable the development of conservation strategies to preserve such cultural heritage for future generations.” The Minister of Cultures, Sabina Orellana, emphasized that, in compliance with the State task of guaranteeing the conservation and preservation of the Bolivian cultural heritage, the agreement has been promoted with the objective of achieving an integral, effective and efficient inter-institutional cooperation framework for joint and coordinated work.

The project is funded by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano’s Seal of Excellence Grant “MUMBO”.

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A multinational and multidisciplinary team. Project MUMBO brings together researchers from Bolivia, Italy, Germany, Peru and the USA.Credit: Eurac Research | JG.Estellano - www.estejuanga.com

CT scanning of the pre-Colombian remains reveals insights into ancient pathologies Credit: Eurac Research | JG.Estellano - www.estejuanga.com

Anthropologist Alice Paladin prepares an individual for CT scanning in La Paz, Bolivia Credit: Eurac Research | JG.Estellano - www.estejuanga.com

Measuring surface moisture with an AW reader. Any trace of moisture can have irreversible damage on ancient fabrics. Credit: Eurac Research | JG.Estellano - www.estejuanga.com

Marco Samadelli and Alice Paladin prepare the base of a conservation soft box. The new technology enables low-cost preservation parameters for this precious cultural heritage.Credit: Eurac Research | JG.Estellano - www.estejuanga.com

Marco Samadelli and Alice Paladin crossing the MUNARQ (National Museum of Archaeology) courtyard. They are carrying an individual from the museum storeroom to the conservation soft box construction lab.Credit: Eurac Research | JG.Estellano - www.estejuanga.com

The Minister of Cultures, Sabina Orellana and Director of The Institute for Mummy Studies, Albert Zink with the mutually signed document which establishes reciprocal technical assistance for the research and conservation of the Bolivian cultural heritage.Credit: Eurac Research | JG.Estellano - www.estejuanga.com

The Minister of Cultures, Sabina Orellana and Director of The Institute for Mummy Studies Albert Zink shake hands. The collaboration between MUNARQ and The Institute for Mummy Studies is now underway and will see an ongoing collaboration between the institutes from La Paz, Bolivia and Bolzano/Bozen, Italy.Credit: Eurac Research | JG.Estellano - www.estejuanga.com

Held at MUNARQ, the press conference cemented the alliance between the Italian and Bolivian Institutes and the multidisciplinary team of biologists, cardiologists, conservationists, anthropologists, and archaeologists.Credit: Eurac Research | JG.Estellano - www.estejuanga.com

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