Frozen in Time: Scientists Reconstruct the Face of a Young Woman Sacrificed in the Andes 500 Years Ago
Five centuries ago, atop the icy summit of Mount Ampato in the Andes, a teenage girl from the mighty Inca Empire was chosen for one of the most sacred—and tragic—rituals of her people. The freezing heights, more than 6,300 meters above sea level, preserved her body almost perfectly for 500 years. Discovered in 1995, she became known as the “Ice Maiden,” Juanita, or the Lady of Ampato. Yet, her true face remained a mystery—until now.
Bringing a Lost Face Back to Life
Thanks to a remarkable blend of art and science, Juanita’s face has been brought back from the past. Swedish artist Oscar Nilsson, working with researchers from the Center for Andean Studies at the University of Warsaw and the Catholic University of Santa María, used CT scans and forensic reconstruction techniques to create an astonishingly lifelike 3D model of Juanita’s face.
This reconstruction was unveiled at the “Capacocha, Following the Inca Divinities” exhibition at the Andean Sanctuaries Museum in Peru, allowing visitors to come face-to-face with a young woman who lived—and died—half a millennium ago.
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The Mystery and Meaning of Sacrifice
Within Inca culture, the capacocha ritual was among the most sacred and solemn. Children and young women—chosen for their purity and beauty—were sacrificed on holy mountain peaks, accompanied by precious offerings: gold, silver, ceramics, and the rare Spondylus shell. These sacrifices were believed to appease the gods, protect communities from disaster, and bring honor to the families of those chosen.
Juanita was buried in ceremonial clothing, surrounded by intricately decorated artifacts. Studies revealed that, in her final days, she chewed coca leaves and drank ayahuasca—plant-based substances that may have eased her anxiety before the end.
The Journey to Reconstruct Juanita
Beginning in 2018, a dedicated team of scientists launched a five-year project to study Juanita and other mummies from the snowy Andes. Using advanced CT scans, they created a digital 3D model of her skull. Oscar Nilsson then devoted over 400 hours to painstakingly rebuild her face, guided by scientific data—revealing high cheekbones, deep eyes, and features characteristic of ancient Andean people.
“It’s the most incredible job I could imagine,” Nilsson said. “I hope people will feel an emotional connection to history, and to this real person who once lived, breathed, and dreamed.”
Touching the Past, Connecting With History
The exhibition doesn’t just display Juanita’s mummy and her reconstructed face—it invites visitors to touch replicas of the artifacts buried with her, and to embark on a virtual journey along the Inca roads from Cusco to the sacred peaks, retracing the footsteps of the ancient sacrificial procession.
For the researchers who have spent years studying Juanita, seeing her face brought to life is a deeply moving experience. “The face gives us the hyperrealistic impression of looking at a living person,” said Dr. Dagmara Socha, curator of the exhibition. “After so many years working with these mummies, finally being able to look into her face was an emotional moment.”
Through science and empathy, the Ice Maiden’s story reaches across centuries, reminding us that behind every ancient ritual was a living, feeling human being—now, at last, seen once more.
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