READING EXPLORER 2 UNIT 3: Inca Mummy

Summary

In 1995, the mummified body of a young Inca girl, named Juanita, was discovered on the Ampato Mountain in the Andes by archaeologist Johann Reinhardt. Juanita, along with other sacrificial remains found at the site, reveals how the Inca people viewed the mountains as gods and offered human sacrifices to ensure their favor. Further investigations uncovered multiple burial sites and human sacrifices. The girl’s cause of death was determined to be a blow to the head. Her discovery and analysis offer a profound insight into the ancient Inca civilization and their ritualistic practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 1995, the mummified body of a young Inca girl was discovered on the Ampato mountain in the Andes by archaeologist Johann Reinhardt.
• 😀 The young girl, later named Juanita, was believed to be a direct descendant of the Inca people, who once lived in the Andes.
• 😀 The body was preserved in ice, and the Inca believed that mountains were gods who required offerings, often in the form of children, to maintain their favor.
• 😀 Reinhardt's team found other significant evidence during their exploration, including six stone circles marking ancient burial sites.
• 😀 Multiple bodies of children were uncovered, suggesting that the site was used for sacrificial offerings by the Inca people.
• 😀 The discovery of the bodies and artifacts was difficult, as the ground was frozen, requiring archaeologists to carefully extract the remains by hand.
• 😀 Juanita's body was analyzed in Ariquipa, Peru, and later sent to Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. for further scientific examination.
• 😀 Modern technology revealed that a fatal blow to the side of Juanita's head likely caused her death, reinforcing the idea of ritual sacrifice.
• 😀 The mummified remains of Juanita provide valuable insight into the Inca civilization, particularly their practices related to sacrifice and mountain worship.
• 😀 Juanita's story connects ancient Inca customs with the indigenous people of the Andes today, including the modern-day descendants of the Inca like the 'catch one' girl.

Q & A

Who was Juanita, and where was her body discovered?

Juanita was a young Inca girl whose mummified body was discovered in 1995 by archaeologist Johann Reinhardt on the Ampato mountain in the Andes.

What significance did the Andes mountains hold for the Inca people?

For the Inca people, the Andes mountains were considered sacred and believed to be inhabited by gods. They performed rituals, including human sacrifices, to honor these mountain gods and ensure their protection.

What did Johann Reinhardt and his team discover during their exploration of Ampato?

Reinhardt and his team discovered the mummified body of Juanita, a young Inca girl, and uncovered evidence of ancient sacrificial offerings to the mountain gods, including stone circles and burial sites.

Why were young girls specifically chosen for these sacrificial rituals?

The Inca believed that sacrificing young girls to the mountain gods would ensure good fortune and protection for their people, as the gods would be pleased with the offerings.

What additional discoveries were made during Reinhardt's second exploration of the site?

In addition to Juanita’s body, Reinhardt's team uncovered six stone circles and the bodies of other children, suggesting that the site was used for multiple human sacrifices.

How did the archaeologists recover the bodies and objects found at the site?

The ground was frozen, making it difficult to extract the bodies and objects. The archaeologists had to use their fingers to carefully remove the items, including ancient pots.

What modern technology was used to analyze Juanita's cause of death?

Modern technology, including medical imaging and forensic analysis, was used to determine that Juanita likely died from a powerful blow to the side of her head, which caused a fatal skull fracture.

What role did Juanita's discovery play in understanding Inca culture?

Juanita's discovery provided valuable insights into the Inca's religious practices, burial rituals, and the significance they placed on sacrifices to the gods, particularly in relation to the Andean mountains.

What is the connection between Juanita and the present-day inhabitants of the Andes?

Juanita's discovery could provide a connection between the ancient Inca civilization and the current indigenous peoples of the Andes, who are believed to be direct descendants of the Inca.

Why is the site where Juanita was found considered unique?

The site is unique because it appears to have been used for multiple human sacrifices, with several child bodies and offerings found, indicating that it was a significant place for the Inca’s religious ceremonies.