| The Tulli Human Mummy | |
| |
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | Tuli or Tulli |
| Age | 40 - 60 |
| Sex | Male |
| Status | |
| Height | |
| Source | |
| Culture | Sub-Saharan African |
| Date(s) | AD 1500 - 1800 |
| Site | Cut Line Rock, Loensa Property |
| Current Location | |
| Location | Botswana National Museum, Gaborone |
| Catalog # | |
The Tuli Mummy is, to this date, the first and only mummified body ever found in Botswana. Discovered in 2008 by the patrol staff of a hunting lodge, he was alone in a shallow grave at the base of a cliff named Cut Line Rock, where two private properties - the Tuli Game Lodge (TGL), from where it took its name, and the Loensa Property - converge. The body had apparently been unearthed by scavenger animals, and no signs or markings on the surrounding areas indicated its presence. The region in which this individual was found is located about 20 km west of the Shashe-Limpopo confluence, a point of demarcation between Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, where numerous Stone Age and Iron Age sites have been documented.
Because of quick and efficient work by TGL management, that notified the Botswana National Museum and kept the security of the site, no further damage was caused to the remains.
A long plant fiber was then used to tie the remains into a bundle for burial. The animal skin had been turned so that the hair side was in direct contact with the body.
Much of the skin was preserved and adhered to the bones. Some tendons were also noted. Hair and nails were also present. The hands are clamped together making it difficult to observe the palms but toe prints are still clearly visible as was a beard and side burns on the face.
Mummification[]
Ethnographic literature, particularly focusing on Zimbabwe, suggests that after a leader died, his body was not immediately interred but may have been treated by usually slowly drying it over a low fire. This may have assisted in the preservation of such a body. The body would then be wrapped in a cloth or bull hide and buried at the same time that the leader's successor came to power. The Tulli was not intentionally mummified, but the dry conditions led to a desiccation of the remains, contributing to the mummification of soft tissues. However, the presence of the animal skin, most probably of a bovine, is a possible indication of the culture of his people. Evidence from the site indicates that the burial is probably associated with the Khami facies of the Late Iron Age.
The fact that the human remains, wood, animal skin, insect larva and other organic materials survived for hundreds of years at this site can only be attributed to exceptional and very stable dry heat and good soil conditions.
Studies[]
CT Scans revealed that there weren't any preserved organs meaning that they were either removed or degenerated before burial, the former being unlikely as it was not part of the cultural practice to remove organs. DNA analysis showed the body belonged to a black African who was older than 50 when he died, related to modern day Sotho-Tswana and Khoesan peoples.
He lived during the Late Iron Age, and suffered from degenerative disease of the spine evidenced by osteophytes along his spine.
Examination of the mummy’s teeth showed show signs of moderate dental wear.
Additional[]
The mummy is currently housed at the Botswana National Museum in Gaborone, in humidity, light, and temperature controlled storage facility.
Reference[]
Africa, T. C. (2016, March 17). Scans and DNA tests reveal the secrets of a rare African mummy. Retrieved November 09, 2017, from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-conversation-africa/scans-and-dna-tests-revea_b_9483150.htm
Field and Technical Report:THE TULI MUMMY: A PRELIMINARY REPORT FROM NORTHEASTERN BOTSWANA MORONGWA N. MOSOTHWANE Department of Anatomy, University of Pretoria, https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/19039/Mosothwane_Tuli(2011).pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y