Face of 500-Year-Old Inca 'Ice Maiden' Mummy Revealed Through 3D Reconstruction

Experts use DNA studies, body scans, and skull measurements to create a silicon bust of Juanita, the famous Inca mummy, more than two decades after her discovery atop the Ampato volcano in Peru.

The mummy, known as 'Juanita' or the 'Inca Ice Maiden', was a teenage Inca girl who is thought to have been sacrificed more than 500 years ago. Juanita was found atop the Ampato volcano in Peru by US archaeologist Johan Reinhard during an expedition in 1995.
A team of Peruvian, Polish scientists, and Swedish expert in facial reconstruction, Oscar Nilsson worked together to create a silicone bust of the mummy. The scientists used body scans, skull measurements, DNA studies, and ethnological characteristics to guide their reconstruction.
The reconstructed face reveals pronounced cheekbones, dark eyes, and brown skin. Nilsson reported that it took about 400 hours of work to model the face.
Juanita was well-preserved due to the frozen conditions at the location she was found. She was discovered in a ceremonial tunic and headpiece, surrounded by several ceramic objects including bowls and figurines, indicating her role in a likely ritual sacrifice.
Studies suggest that Juanita was between 13 and 15 years old at her time of death. A CT scan by researchers at Johns Hopkins University indicated the probable cause of death as a severe blow to the back of her head, suggesting a sacrifice ritual.
Reinhard and other scientists have been investigating aspects of Juanita's life, like her diet and the cultural significance of the objects found with her, to gain insights into Incan culture, practices, and beliefs.