Some of the world's oldest mummies that date back to 5050 B.C. are apparently beginning to degrade and rot and are emitting black ooze caused by global warming, according to researchers.

The study led by a Harvard team discovered this type of decay was detected across many ancient relics such as the walls of Tutankhamen's tomb and even Apollo mission space suits, but most especially in the Chinchorro mummies and other ancient, historical manuscripts.

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This phenomenon was first observed among the 120 Chinchorro mummies housed in the archaeological museum of University of Tarapacá in Arica, Chile. Marcela Sepulveda, a professor of archaeology at the Archeometric Analysis and Research Laboratories of the University of Tarapacá, said this process has accelerated over the last decade.

Initial studies of samples from the museum revealed the degradation was caused by microbial sources. According to Ralph Mitchell from the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), microbial sources of decay are often described as opportunistic.

In microbiology, diseases often result from these sources since microbes reside in the body. These microbes saw an opportunity due to environmental changes. 

Scientists have concluded the high moisture found in the air was slowly destroying the already fragile skin of the mummies. This was also consistent with what Sepulveda reported from the rising humidity levels in Africa.

Researchers also state the ideal humidity temperatures for mummies placed inside museums is between 40 percent to 60 percent. Anything higher than these ranges can lead to degradation and result in lower levels of acidification.

The 7,000 year-old Chinchorro mummies housed inside the museum aren't the only ones in existence. There are apparently hundreds more scattered beneath the surface of the region.

Scientists are now searching for better solutions to deal with this forensic problem as only the latest advances in science hold the key to the relics' longevity.

TagsChinchorro Mummies Melting Into Black Ooze Because of Climate Change, chinchorro mummies, Chile, mummies, Harvard, chinchorro mummies black ooze climate change, global warming