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In the lofty realms of Mount Ampato, a frozen relic from the 15th century beckons us into the heart of an ancient Incan mystery—Momia Juanita, the Lady of Ampato. Discovered in 1995, this Inca Ice Maiden, nestled atop the dormant volcano, unravels the secrets of the Capacocha ritual, offering a poignant narrative of life, sacrifice, and reverence.

Mummy Juanita before unwrapping her body. (Fair Use)

Discovering Momia Juanita

On September 8, 1995, archaeologist Johan Reinhard and his assistant Miguel Zarate unveiled Momia Juanita, a revelation borne from the melting snowcap of Mount Ampato. The discovery not only exposed the meticulous preservation of the Incan civilization but also unveiled a captivating story etched in the icy folds of time.

Capacocha – A Dance with the Divine

Momia Juanita emerges as a silent protagonist in the sacred act of Capacocha, a ritual where the Inca offered their most esteemed to appease the gods and safeguard their lands. This ritualistic dance with the divine, possibly linked to Mount Ampato’s worship, sought harmony between mortal existence and the forces that shaped their world

Illustration by Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala (1615). This image may depict the ritual of Capacocha. National Library of Denmark. ( Public Domain )

Juanita’s Journey into Eternity

Wrapped in an ancient tapestry of offerings—miniature clay statues, shells, and gold objects—Momia Juanita’s journey into eternity is etched with symbolism. Radiology unveils the tragic cause of her demise—a club blow to the head—echoing the somber resonance of a civilization’s spiritual commitment.

Left: Reconstruction of what her burial may have looked like. Right: Mummy Juanita. (Destylou- Historia)

Culmination in Sacrifice
Isotopic whispers from Juanita’s well-preserved hair tell a tale of sacrifice foreseen. A shift in her diet, from a commoner’s fare to the elite’s indulgence, marks the countdown to her sacred offering. The ritual, involving intoxication with coca leaves and chicha, was a tragic prelude to the climactic act of devotion.

Legacy of a Lost Civilization
Today, within the hallowed halls of the Museo Santuarios Andinos in Arequipa, Momia Juanita’s legacy endures. Encased in a delicate dance of temperature and humidity, her story transcends time—unveiling the spiritual intricacies, cultural echoes, and the eternal dance of life and sacrifice that define the enigma of the Inca Ice Maiden.

‘La Doncella’ (the Maiden), one of the mummified ‘Children of Llullaillaco’ in Salta province, Argentina. (grooverpedro/ CC BY 2.0 ) The Children of Llullaillaco received a similar treatment before sacrifice.

Today, Mummy Juanita is being housed in the Museo Santuarios Andinos in Arequipa, a city not far from Mount Ampato. The mummy is kept in a special case that carefully maintains the temperature and humidity within it, to ensure the preservation of these remains for the future.