The Resurrection of Juanita: Unveiling the Face of a 500-Year-Old Inca Mummy
Scientists have created a 3D reconstruction of the face of a teenage girl known as the "Ice Maiden" or Juanita, who was sacrificed and buried near the summit of Ampato in the Andes Mountains 500 years ago. The reconstruction is part of an exhibition at the Andean Sanctuaries Museum in Peru, which aims to restore the identity of mummies and showcase the latest research on Incan rituals and mummies. The Inca Empire practiced human sacrifices to appease deities and protect the community, with children and young women chosen for the rituals. The discovery of Juanita's well-preserved remains in 1995 has provided valuable insights into Inca culture and rituals.