Juanita gets her name from the archaeologist who discovered her on top of Ampato Volcano, near Arequipa in 1995, John Reinhardt. She was sacrificed by the Incas 500 years ago and has remained frozen in the ice until in 1995 the neighbouring volcano began to erupt causing a rise in temperature and the glacial ice to defrost. This uncovered many remains of the Inca sacrificial rituals, including markings representing graves. John excavated Juanita, whose body is still intact having been frozen solid very soon after she was killed. After autopsy it was determined she was killed by a severe blow to the side of the head. It was probable she was given chicha, a strong hallucinagenic drink before the ritual was performed. For her, being sacrificed to appease the volcano god was the utmost praise since she had been chosen as the most beautiful and the most innocent and would be guaranteed eternal life with the gods. Her journey to the top of the mountain would've been a highly stressful one though, having to travel hundreds of miles across difficult terrain. She was adorned with fine textiles and jewellery including a feather headress and was buried with many small idols made of gold and ceramic as gifts to the gods. A little further down the mountain two more bodies were found, of small children, who'd also been sacrificed, but their location further down the mountain meant that they were not as pure and worthy as Juanita.
We are fascinated by the story and look forward to learning more of the Incas when we visit Machu Picchu next week.
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