Is the Inca Maiden the World's Best-Preserved Mummy? (Video)
The Inca Ice Maiden, an incredible find from the Andean mountains of South America in 1999 has astonished the world since her discovery. An archaeological excavation led by Dr. Johan Reinhard unveiled a captivating mystery. The mummy, resting at a staggering 22,000 feet atop the world's tallest active volcano, was a sight to behold. Wrapped in well-preserved textiles, this mysterious figure was carefully unearthed. Her unveiling revealed a perfectly preserved girl, her hands in particular remained immaculate despite the passage of time. The discovery stunned experts, raising the question: is this the best-preserved mummy in existence?
Alongside the maiden, a treasure trove of artifacts from the Inca Empire was found. These relics, though centuries old, appeared as if untouched by time. The Inca, a civilization shrouded in mystery, left no written records, making this mummy an invaluable link to their lost world. She now rests under the attentive care of the Catholic University of Santa Maria and is affectionately known as "the maiden." Visitors are often taken aback when they meet the maiden, struggling to comprehend the girl who peacefully slumbered atop a volcano for over five centuries. This astonishing find offers a unique glimpse into a bygone empire, a silent witness to a civilization's enigmatic past.
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Top image: This sacrificed Inca child, known as the Llull Maiden #23, was found on a mountain in Argentina a number of years ago and shares similarities with the sacrificed child Inca mummies found on Ampato volcano, Peru. Source: © Johan Reinhard, Ph.D . (used with permission)
