| The Llullaillaco Maiden Human Mummy | |
| |
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | The Maiden aka La Doncella |
| Age | Approximately 15 Years Old |
| Sex | Female |
| Status | Peasant to Royalty |
| Height | Unknown |
| Source | |
| Culture | Incan |
| Date(s) | Over 500 Years Ago |
| Site | Mount Llullaillaco |
| Current Location | |
| Location | Museum of High Altitude Archaeology |
| Catalog # | Unknown |
The Maiden, aka La Doncella, was found entombed in a small chamber 1.5 metres underground near the summit of Volcán Llullaillaco in Argentina, in a cross-legged posture. The Maiden is one of the three Children of Llullaillaco, which also includes El Niño and Lightning Girl.
La Doncella is now housed in the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology in Salta, Argentina.
History[]
The Maiden was a victim of ritual sacrifice in the Inca Empire tracing back to around 500 years ago. Such human sacrifices were selected as offerings to the sun god, Inti, to the weather (thunder) god, Illapa, or to the creator god, Viracocha, in order to ensure the fertility of the crops and to plead for favorable weather, or in response to natural calamities, such as droughts, epidemics, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Such victims were usually chosen for their youth and beauty.
Children used for sacrifices often show evidence of a notable diet change, evidence for which is seen in the children's hair. The relatively good state of nutrition that the Llullaillaco children, as reflected in the thick layer of fatty tissue appearing in CT scans, as well as the absence of Harris lines in the X-rays, serve as indicators of the high social rank of these victims.
The Maiden had a coca quid in between her teeth showing signs that she was heavily sedated when she died. This may explain that she had no signs of distress during her death. The Maiden was prepared with beautiful clothes, a feathered headdress, elaborately braided hair, and a number of artifacts placed on the cloth that was draped over her knees.
Mummification[]
The Children of Llullaillaco were preserved by the sub-freezing and arid conditions of the peak and are considered some of the best preserved mummies known today; all organs were intact, skin, hair, and soft tissue remain.
The official cause of death is still considered unknown, but archaeologists hypothesized hypothermia or asphyxia as probable since no signs of violence was shown on her mummy.
Studies[]
The frozen bodies of three Inca children were discovered on the summit of Mount Llullaillaco, at an elevation of 6715 m, at the world's highest archaeological site. They are considered to be among the best preserved Pre-Columbian mummies known to date. Studies included radiological evaluations by conventional X-rays, and CT scans, which provided information about condition and pathology of the bones and internal organs; as well as dental studies oriented to the estimation of the ages of the three children at the time of death.
Her braided hair has been analyzed and chemical traces in the hair differ from root to tip. The results show the Maiden experienced important dietary changes in her final two years.
Pathology[]
Analysis in 2012 concluded that the Maiden of Llullaillaco was infected by a virus that has been long extinct. The lung disease similar to tuberculosis was preserved with her mummy and is now being used to discover more about the diseases of the past and of that particular region.
Additional[]
Her body was placed in the tomb facing northeast and was covered with two brown woolen mantles. A feathered headdress was placed on her head, and a high-quality cumbi tunic, a superior kind of cloth made from the wool of the alpaca, was on her shoulder. Her hair was done in numerous intricately woven braids.
Also was included textile bags and belts, gold and silver figurines, and various ceramic items. Several other offerings included shell statuettes, and seashell figurines representing llamas.
External Links[]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4543117/
References[]
Castro, J. (2013, July 29). Final moments of Incan child mummies' lives revealed. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/38504-incan-child-mummies-lives-revealed.html
Morelle, R. (2013, July 30). Inca mummies: child sacrifice victims fed drugs and alcohol. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-23496345
Ponic, J. (2017, August 4). World's best preserved mummies. Retrieved from https://owlcation.com/humanities/PreservedMummies