MAAM Salta
The highlight of the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña are the mummies of three children, sacrificed in the Inca period on the Llullaillaco volcano (6739 m), with over 100 burial offerings.
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The 6-year-old girl was sacrificed during a Capacocha ceremony on Llullaillaco. She is called Niña del Rayo (Lightning Girl) because she was struck by lightning that penetrated more than a meter deep into the earth. It charred the outer cloths around the dead bundle and burned parts of the body and face, which is framed by braided plaits. The eyelids are half closed, and teeth can be seen in the slightly open mouth. The forehead adorned an unusual silver metal headdress. Legs are bent and crossed, hands rest on the thighs. The girl wears a wrap dress (acsu) held around her waist by a multicolored sash, and a cloak (lliclla) pinned together with a large needle (tupu). The feet are in moccasins made of the leather of a camelid of the Andes.
© Photos, summary: Binder & Haupt, Universes in Universe
The highlight of the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña are the mummies of three children, sacrificed in the Inca period on the Llullaillaco volcano (6739 m), with over 100 burial offerings.