In spite of its interesting collection
of mummies and artefacts from the Inca Empire, most
visitors come to this small museum for the Dama de Ampato
(the Ice Maiden of Ampato). “Juanita”, as
it's more familiarly known, is an Inca mummy of a twelve
to fourteen year old girl found atop the dormant Ampato
volcano by the climber Miguel Zárate, the archaeologist
José Chávez, and the anthropologist Johan
Reinhard in 1995.
It is believed that “Juanita”
was the victim of a ritualistic sacrifice to the Gods
(a violent blow to the temple, according to the studies)
and buried in ice at 6,380m. Given that only Inca priests
were allowed to ascend to such a high point, where the
gods were believed live, it's probable that the sacrifice
was committed by the priests themselves, some 500 years
ago.
Located in La Merced street, the Museum
of Andean Sanctuaries opens from Monday through Saturday
(9am to 6pm), and Sunday from 9am to 3pm. Important
to note that the Ice Maiden of Ampato is not on exhibit
from January to April each year, due to restoration.