(The Maiden) is one of the most remarkably preserved mummies ever discovered, a 15-year-old Inca girl frozen for over 500 years. Found in 1999 near the summit of the Llullaillaco volcano on the Argentina-Chile border, she was part of the three "Children of Llullaillaco" sacrificed in a sacred ritual known as capacocha . The Ritual: A Journey to the Divine
La Doncella was likely an aclla (Sun Virgin), chosen for her beauty and purity to serve as a messenger to the gods.
Unlike Egyptian mummies, La Doncella was not embalmed; she was naturally "flash-frozen" by the extreme altitude and frigid, arid climate. La Doncella
: She was found in a cross-legged position, wearing a ceremonial tunic and an elaborate feathered headdress, surrounded by gold and silver statues. Where to See Her
: She was left in a small stone chamber 6,739 meters (22,110 feet) above sea level, where she succumbed to exposure. Extraordinary Preservation (The Maiden) is one of the most remarkably
: Her body was so well-preserved that her skin, hair, and even internal organs remained intact.
: In her final months and hours, she was given large amounts of coca leaves and chicha (maize beer). This induced a stupor, allowing her to drift into a permanent sleep in her mountaintop tomb without a struggle. Unlike Egyptian mummies, La Doncella was not embalmed;
: To respect the sensitivity of the exhibit, she is kept in a dimly lit case. Visitors must press a button to turn on the light to see her. Expand map