Today Emma and I went to a museum to see Juanita the ice mummy, a little girl who was sacrificed by the Incas over 500 years ago and who's body was almost perfectly preserved in a glacier until 1995.
In 1995 one of the many volcanoes surrounding Arequipa errupted, the hot ash melting the snow, ice and glaciers on the surrounding mountains. This revealed Juanita and 2 other sacrificed children who were discovered by two archaeologists. Juanita, named in honour of the archaeologist who discovered her, was 12-14 years old, and was thought to have come from a royal or noble family in Cuzco. She was sacrificed to apease the mountains which the Inca believed to be Gods.
Because of the icey grave in which she lay burried for so long, she is perfectly preserved, with hair, finger nails and full facial features. She also has all her organs intact. She is kept in an ice box and is really a rather fascinating sight.
The museum tour included all the 'offerings' which were burried with the children and explained the traditions and history of human sacrifice and the Inca culture. It was very interesting.
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