Juanita was preserved for over 500 years by the freezing temperatures of the Ampato volcano summit.
She was found with a 'tupu' or silver pin, along with fine alpaca wool clothing, indicating her high status.
The mummy is displayed on a rotating basis to prevent tissue degradation from light exposure.
DNA analysis of the mummy has provided significant insights into the genetic history of indigenous Andean populations.
The discovery occurred only after the nearby volcano Sabancaya erupted, melting the ice cap that had entombed the burial site.
Museo Santuarios Andinos houses the Juanita mummy, a 15-year-old Inca girl sacrificed on Mount Ampato around 1450 AD. She was discovered in 1995 by Dr. Johan Reinhard and Miguel Zárate at an elevation of over 6,000 meters. The museum is operated by the Universidad Católica de Santa María. The collection focuses on high-altitude Inca ceremonial sites known as 'capacocha.' Due to cold-chain requirements, the mummy is displayed in a temperature-controlled case that rotates to preserve her remains. Beyond Juanita, the museum exhibits textiles, pottery, and ritual offerings found at nearby volcanic peaks. The facility serves as both an exhibition space and a center for bio-archaeological research. It is situated within a historic colonial-era mansion in the center of Arequipa.
The beautiful colonial courtyard at the entrance of the museum.
A mandatory guided tour is usually required for entry, and these are often included in the admission price.
Tipping your guide at the end of the tour is a customary and appreciated practice.
Prepare for the climate-controlled rooms, which are kept very cold to preserve the artifacts.
Attempting to take photos of the mummy, as staff are vigilant and will stop the tour to enforce the ban.
Closed on certain national holidays in Peru; schedules may adjust during the rainy season months of January and February.
Photography is strictly prohibited inside the exhibition rooms; please remain quiet to respect the site's status as a burial place.
