How Do We Know This Inca Mummy Died Peacefully? (Video)
The Inca mummy known as the Maiden has long been a mystery shrouded in the high-altitude silence of the Andes. The question that has haunted many revolves around how she met her end. There are telltale signs of death, often associated with victims of avalanches - hypothermia and regurgitation. The maiden, too, had traces of vomit on her lips. The prevailing theory suggests a harrowing end, possibly being buried alive as a sacrificial offering to the gods. However, there is no evidence of a struggle in her tomb. One of the first to lay eyes on her resting place noted that nothing appeared disturbed.
The murder weapon might have been the cloth tightly wrapped around her head, robbing her of breath. The possibility of alcohol intoxication is also considered, which could have eased her passage. Ultimately, a verdict is offered: suffocation, possibly gentle, is a likely cause of her death. There is no sign of violence; her peaceful countenance suggests she departed this world in serene oblivion. The maiden's sacrifice was believed to grant her immortality, and though the truth is revealed, the hope that she rests in a form of eternal happiness persists, amidst the somber reality of her fate.
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Top image: It is believed the Inca maiden died peacefully. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Smithsonian Channel.
