Preventive Conservation of the Kabayan Mummies: Surveying and Environmental Monitoring to Save the Mummies

Abstract. The Kabayan mummies are culturally important to the indigenous Ibaloi peoples of Benguet, the Philippines. Within the last several decades, these mummies have increasingly begun to deteriorate. With the collaboration of the Ibaloi elders, this project gathered environmental data for ten months at seven identified burial rockshelters that contain mummies to better understand how the environments are contributing to their deterioration. Such knowledge can then inform conservation and preservation methods to minimise future deterioration of the mummies. Analysis of the environmental data revealed that the temperatures within the rockshelters are relatively stable, while the relative humidity levels are constantly high and inconsistent, which likely contributes to the deterioration of the mummies. This project fostered a relationship of trust and respect between the research team, the Kabayan community, and all concerned local and national government agencies, allowing this project to continue and expand in the future.