Archaeology: RETURN OF THE ICE MAIDEN

SCIENTISTS FIND AN INCA GIRL FROZEN FOR 500 YEARS

AT JUST ABOUT THE TIME COLUMBUS was sailing into the Caribbean, a young Inca girl, almost a woman, was trudging up the steep slopes of Mount Ampato (elev. 20,700 ft.), in what is now southern Peru, knowing that her life would come to an end at the summit. Her sacrifice, considered the greatest honor her people could bestow, would appease the mountain god--the source of good fortune (in the form of rain to bless the crops) and terror (snowstorms, earthquakes and avalanches) to Inca culture. Did she march bravely to the center of the ceremonial platform, or was she dragged there...

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