Inca Mummy on Display Receives Condemnation
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The mummy of an Inca girl called “la Doncella” (Spanish for “the Maiden”), went on display for the first time at a museum in Salta, Argentina. The mummy was described as “perfect” by the archaeologists who found her in 1999 and said to have been sacrificed hundreds of years ago, and froze to death in an icy pit on top of Llullaillaco volcano in the Andes Mountains, in north-west Argentina on the border with Chile.
AP Photo
Scientists believe the ‘Children of Llullaillaco’ were sacrificed as far back as more than 500 years ago in a ceremony marking the annual corn harvest to thank the Inca gods. They were dressed in fine clothes and given corn alcohol to put them to sleep, then left to freeze to death at an elevation of 22,080 feet.
The “la Doncella” was found along with a 6 year old and a 7 year old boy and was estimated to be 15 years old at the time of her death.
“la Doncella” is held in a chamber filled with chilled air that simulates the subfreezing conditions where she was found. The other children are not on display but are being studied.
She’s seated with her legs bent and her arms resting on her stomach, wearing a gray shawl and bone and metal ornaments. Scientists believe her face was painted with a red pigment. Flecks of coca leaf were found around her mouth, which are commonly used to cope with high altitudes.
AP Photo
Visitors told Argentine media they were impressed at the mummy’s state of conservation. “I’m amazed.” one woman said. “You just expect her at any moment to get up and start talking.”
The exhibit has angered many Indian groups who were offended, and campaigned to stop the mummy from going on display. They argue the mummies should be given proper respect and buried or at least not shown to the public.
Miguel Suarez, a representative of the Calchaquies valley tribes in and around Salta, said this exhibit is a great mistake, adding that he hoped visitors would show respect for the dead.
Aztec Child Sacrificial Rituals: 15th – 16th century AD
One of the most important festivals in the Inca year is the 8 day feast which celebrates the harvesting of the maize crop. Each day a ritual chanting begins with the rising of the sun, peaks at noon, and diminishes to silence again by dusk. Burnt offerings of llamas and libations of maize beer are made to the sun god. The Inca and his court are in their finest robes, encrusted in gold and silver. Figurines of the Inca’s ancestors are also present with entourage of female attendants.
Each February children are sacrificed to maize gods on the mountain tops. In March prisoners fight to the death in gladiatorial contests, after which priests dress up in their skins. In April a maize goddess receives her share of children. In June there are sacrifices to the salt goddess. It’s been estimated that the annual harvest of victims, mainly to Huitzilopochtli — the patron deity of the Aztecs, god of war and symbol of the sun — rises from about 10,000 a year to a figure closer to 50,000 shortly before the arrival of the Spaniards.
The Inca empire once stretched across much of western South America, including present-day Peru and Bolivia, and down to central Chile and parts of Argentina, and collapsed in 1532 with the Spanish conquest.
Sources: Digital Journal, BBC News and History World
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Egyptians Discover Queen Hatshepsut Mummy
Scientific Marvels of Toe-tankhamun – Ancient Mummy Prosthesis
To be honest, it does feel gruesome to put a human corpse on display, even though these are fossilized remains.
Sacrifices of humans for numerous deities, wearing peoples skin, freezing others to death,…..kinda glad I was born in this era. But are we much different? With radical muslims beheading folks, cutting faces off with piano wire, and cooking children to be served to their horrified parents, some in our world of today haven’t evolved very much. All in the name of some sick, twisted religeon. Makes ya’ wonder.
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Traveller, I tend to agree with you. It’s a very thin line between scientific appreciation and morality. I certainly wouldn’t want that to be my child and would want to have their remains dealt with in an honorable manner.
You said a mouthful Nitropuppy. Some of what mankind does is mortifying, even today.
[...] Inca Mummy on Display Receives Condemnation fastfastlane – member blog: Life in the Fast Lane created 8 hours, 3 minutes ago The mummy of an Inca girl called “la Doncella” (Spanish for “the Maiden”), went on display for the first time at a museum in Salta, Argentina. The mummy was described as “perfect” by the archaeologists who found her in 1999 and sa tags: bizarre children of llullaillaco la doncella ladoncella mummies mummy odd ritual rituals sacrifice sacrificial unusual weird science [edit] Comments: BZ: add comment ↓dump [...]
very eerie indeed Deborah!!!!
I agree with Nitro puppy….all in the name of religion !!!!
great article
Exactly Kim. It’s chilling to the bone.
very eerie indeed Deborah!!!!
I think I hear an echo
Yes, it appears to be unanimous Kim
Well, only thing I can say is that I think I would think it being very weird seeing the body….
I was here earlier but as far as I got was to bookmark the page in del.icio.us, lol. My boy had other plans for me.
Deborah, you always have such interesting and educational material. I have such a luv of archaeology and ancient studies.
I can understand that various groups would be concerned and even angered by the display, but it opens up such a fantastic opportunity for people to learn about other cultures.
Thanks and take care;
Anna
Most definitely, Captain
Thanks Anna, it’s always nice to see you stop by
I’m so glad to hear you enjoy coming here. Sometimes I wonder why I keep doing this, but hearing statements like yours makes it all worthwhile to keep on going 
I’m sure the display is for the very reason you mentioned Anna, not to be morbid as many see it.
This is disgusting! Surely there must be a more respectful way to learn about an ancient people! When have we as a society determined that Indigenous people should be put on display like mannequins? I guess respect for sacred land, and the remains therein mean very little to very many! Revolting!
I agree Kim. There was further news on la Doncella in the media today revealing how these children were treated in their research, but I chose not to give this any further exposure.
It is fasinating, they are mummies for God sake and there sprit has well and truly gone to a higher place, they are here to teach us about the human race, that is why the have stayed this way.
OK, right “they are mummies for God sake” – actually mummies were bound in various mediums such as cloth so they are not really mummies. I guess my point would be that I would not appreciate it if my (or any of my descendants) remains were put on display for others to gawk at. How sick…
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