Peru Guide
Arequipa
Museo Santuarios Andinos
Opening time: Mon– Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 9am–3pm
Price: $4
Telephone: 054/215013
Website: www.ucsm.edu.pe/santury/
Address: C La Merced 110
Museo Santuarios Andinos, part of the Universidad Católica de Santa Maria, is arguably the most important museum in Arequipa today, with displays of some nineteen Inca mummies and a range of archaeological remains; guides are obligatory but their fee, which is additional, is negotiable. The main exhibit is Juanita, the sacrificed thirteen-year-old ancient "princess" uncovered in her icy ritual grave on September 8th, 1995, by an expedition from university which included the archaeologist Johan Reinhard along with the well-known Andinista Miguel Zarate and Peruvian archaeologist Jose Chavez. The gravesite, located at the incredible altitude of 6380m on Ampato Volcano, is estimated to be about 500 years old. The girl, or "ice-maiden", Juanita was sacrified to the Apu Ampato and killed, after some time of fasting and herbal sedation, with a blow to the head by a five-pointed granite mace. Tickets include an introduction video and the museum also contains fine examples of associated grave goods like textiles, precious metals and Inca ceramics.