Deep in the Andean heights of Colombia, in a quiet town called San Bernardo, Clovisnerys Bejarano pays respects to her mother’s curiously mummified remains, which are on display 30 years after her death. The corpse of Saturnina Torres de Bejarano is a sight to behold, still adorned in the attire she was buried in and holding a red carnation, her preservation astonishing to onlookers.
Visitors can gaze at Saturnina’s preserved form alongside other similarly mummified bodies in a local museum, leaving many, including her daughter, in awe of the seemingly divine preservation.
“She still has her little brown face, round, her braids, her hair,” Bejarano, now 63, remarked during a visit to the mausoleum where her mother rests, according to AFP.
The spontaneous mummification phenomenon that preserves these bodies in San Bernardo, revealed oftentimes during exhumations, baffles both locals and researchers. Although seen elsewhere sporadically, the cause remains unidentified in this Colombian town.
Rocio Vergara, a museum guide, shares details of the townsfolk’s divided beliefs: some see it as a posthumous reward, others as a punishment. But no consensus exists on why only some residents become mummified after their passing, regardless of age, gender, or lifestyle.
Discussion revolves around the San Bernardo municipal cemetery’s unique features, such as its atypical, above-ground vaults introduced in the 1960s and positioned on a steep mountain slope, creating an oven-like environment that possibly contributes to the mummification process.
The lack of comprehensive scientific studies leaves many questions unanswered, though anthropologist Daniela Betancourt has put forth a hypothesis involving the cemetery’s structure and climatic conditions that require further investigation.
For families like the Bejaranos, the unexplained mummies are a treasured mystery, one they choose to honor rather than destroy through cremation. Clovisnerys Bejarano believes that “God wanted to leave her to us,” emphasizing the spiritual significance of her mother’s preservation and the local tradition of visiting the mummified remains.
© Agence France-Presse
FAQs About San Bernardo’s Mummified Bodies
Q1: How long have these mummified bodies been discovered in San Bernardo?
A: The phenomenon of mummified bodies in San Bernardo has been occurring since the first discovery in 1963.
Q2: What conditions are believed to contribute to the mummification process?
A: Local experts hypothesize that the cemetery’s unique position on a mountain slope and the structure of the above-ground vaults, which might create an oven-like dehydrating effect, could contribute to the process.
Q3: Do all bodies in the San Bernardo cemetery become mummified?
A: No, mummification does not occur with every interment in San Bernardo. The process seems to be selective, with no clear pattern relating to the deceased’s age, gender, or lifestyle.
Q4: Can families opt for their loved ones not to be displayed in the museum?
A: Yes, families must provide authorization for their relatives’ remains to be displayed. Most choose cremation instead, but some, like the Bejarano family, allow their mummified relatives to be exhibited for visitors.
Q5: Is the mummification phenomenon in San Bernardo unique to the region?
A: While similar cases of spontaneous mummification have been observed in other parts of the world, such as Mexico and Italy, the frequency and particular circumstances in San Bernardo are unusual and remain largely unexplained.
Conclusion
The town of San Bernardo, nestled in the Colombian Andes, holds a peculiar mystery with its spontaneously mummified bodies that baffle both residents and scientists. Many theories suggest environmental factors or the unique burial practices may play a role, but definitive answers are yet to be found. Families like the Bejarano’s find comfort in the enduring presence of their loved ones, while the mystery continues to intrigue the scientific community and the public alike. It’s a true marvel of nature that invites further investigation into the enigmatic conditions surrounding these eternal guardians of San Bernardo.