Five hundred years ago she was dressed in fine clothes, given corn alcohol to drink, and left on a mountain in the Andes to die as a sacrifice. "La Doncella" (Spanish for "the Maiden") a 15-year-old girl whose remains are nearly perfectly preserved is now on display in a museum in Salta, Argentina.
It is believed that the Children of Llullaillaco were sacrificed annually in hopes of encouraging a prosperous corn harvest. The corn alcohol was provided to these child sacrifices to put them to sleep and ensure a peaceful death was they were left to die on a mountain of up to 22,080 feet.
Implications - Studying the customs of ancient civilizations puts today's customs into perspective.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Ancient Preservation
- Developing modern preservation technologies for ancient artifacts and mummies.
- Cultural Anthropology
- Exploring ancient customs and their effects on the modern world.
- Ethical Considerations
- Examining the ethical implications of ancient cultural practices, such as sacrifice.
Where This Applies
- Museum
- Creating new exhibits and preservation technologies to showcase and protect ancient artifacts.
- Academia
- Supporting research and scholarship in fields such as cultural anthropology, archaeology, and history.
- Tourism
- Catering to tourists interested in learning about ancient cultures and customs through exhibits and tours.
