While some mummies, those of Egyptian pharaohs for example, were intentionally preserved with substances such as natron to dry out the bodies and prevent decomposition, others, such as the Tarim mummies found in presentday Xinjiang, China, were _______ naturally by the searing desert conditions.

a. Smelted

b. Disinterred

c. Espied

d. Vitiated

e. Exsiccated

f. Anhydrated