Ancient Incas, to appease the gods, offered human sacrifices. And often they were children. Many of the victims were found mummified, and their remains have survived to our times. For the last time at the height of more than 5000 m on 30 peaks of the Andes excavated more than 115 mountain ritual places of the Incas. But until recently to find these mummies seemed almost impossible, as they were hidden very high in the mountains under the heavy layer of snow and ice. And only in 1995, scientists have finally found perfectly preserved ritual sacrifice, mummified 500 years ago.

The volcano Nevado-Sabancaya near the Peruvian village Cabanaconde began to erupt in 1995 Razletevshihsya in all directions glowing ashes covered the black layer of even the top of a nearby volcano Nevado-Ampato. With the sun he melted the icy summit, opening the eye of man many ancient buildings and constructions of the Incas, hidden under a layer of ice and snow.

First appeared on the surface after ITE break the remains of buildings of the ancient Inca interested in chief researcher of the Mining Institute in West Virginia doctor of anthropology Johan Reinhard.

Before heading to the expedition, Reinhard and his partner Miguel Zarate cooked corn beer and according to ancient custom offered it to the spirits of mountains to climb to a height of 6310 m was successful and safe. "You must ask permission from the mountain, you have to give before you take," said Miguel.

Ironically, the ancient ritual worked. Not only do they returned unharmed from heavy and dangerous expedition, but also found the fact that anyone could not be found, is ideally preserved mummy Incan girl, sacrificed to the gods for more than 500 years ago.

Near the top of the volcano scientists noticed some bright feathers sticking out of the ground. They were part of a headdress very beautiful and perfectly preserved ritual figurines of the Incas. And nearby, archaeologists discovered several more of ritual items. They suggested that other items from this ritual Parking could slip down into the crater of the volcano.

To verify this assumption, Reinhard with Saratau went down to a depth of 65 m in the crater of the volcano. There they lay in wait for luck.

The ice maiden

Near one of the stones lay big bundle from a distance like a bag with equipment climber. Coming closer, they saw with horror that this is not a bundle, and the human body, zametnoe in rags and somehow standing on a steep wall. It was mummified body of the Incan girls 12-14 years. Her face was disfigured, and her eyes were not available.

"When we turned the girl and I saw her face, I thought: ' Oh God, she's all dried up!" recalls Dr. Reinhard. - But then I realized that we were in the hands of something unique - a ritual sacrifice, killed about 500 years ago Inca priests in order to appease the spirits of the mountain".

The scientist was not wrong, as it turned out, it was first found in the Andes well-preserved frozen body of pre-Columbian era.

Realizing the importance of their findings, while on the illuminated by the bright sun side of the mountain, Reinhard knew that even with a small temperature increase mummy will start to thaw. Then, irreversible processes will start, which will inevitably cause damage to organic tissues. It was necessary, keeping a mummy in a frozen state, as soon as possible to deliver it in a Catholic University in Arequipa, where had the necessary equipment to save the mummified body in the correct state.

For a start was necessary to go down a very steep slope in the high camp, located at the bottom of the distance of 500 meters But given his exhausted state, the difficult descent and the impending darkness, and they decided not to haul a mummy, and left her on the spot, securely hidden between the rocks. Only the next morning scientists came back for her and the remnants of the equipment. And together with mummy and other found artifacts came down to the camp.

Here, for the first time after weighing the mummy, they truly realize its value. Mummy weighed 80 pounds that dried body without internal organs, of course, too much. The conclusion suggests itself: all internal organs were in place, and the body has remained virtually unchanged for over 500 years due to the low temperature.

At lower altitudes there was a danger that the mummy will begin to melt. To avoid this, it is wrapped in a sleeping bag. Two days after the discovery of their findings, the scientists reached the village Cabanaconde. Here they had to protect not only the mummy, but other valuable items collected at the top of the volcano: they could easily steal. Archaeological excavations have attracted a large number of thieves and robbers, so it was dangerous to get to Arequipa on the night bus. But Reinhard with Saratau knew what could happen if they at least a little tarry and mummy starts to melt: will begin to develop a fungus that will result in the immediate decay of tissues. The mummy was brought and placed in the freezer the next morning.

Dr. Jose Antonio Chavez from Catholic University told the anthropologists that thanks to their efforts, the mummy delivered almost intact. In honor of the top Ampato, where she was found, the mummy was named "Anatsky virgin," or "Ice maiden". Quite simply - "Juanita". Soon Juanita was transported to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where immediately began research. Because Juanita was only frozen body, not dried mummy without internal organs, it became possible to conduct biological research on the lungs, liver, and muscle tissue. This allowed us to learn more about health and diet of the Incas. Also, when scanning x-rays became visible large fracture of the skull just above the right eye. But the brain was slightly shifted, probably due to extensive internal bleeding.

It became clear that physically healthy girl 12-14 years old was killed very strong blow on the head. The instrument of ritual murder was most likely wooden cudgel. Perhaps, the victim was forced to take some drugs, so she did not resist, most likely before the murder she already didn't understand what was happening.