Incan mummy frozen after human sacrifice still has infection in lungs after 500 years – giving new insight into diseases of the past

Expedition Magazine | Frozen Mummies of the Andes

The older girl’s face – which showed red ochre markings – was creased from the place it rested on her shawl

A 500-year-old frozen Incan mummy known as ‘The Maiden’ was suffering from a bacterial infection when she died – and being able to ‘diagnose’ the disease could lead to new insights into diseases of the past.

The discovery could help defend against new illnesses – or the re-emergence of diseases of the past.

The mummy was suffering from an illness similar to tuberculosis when she was sacrificed on thArgentinian volcano Llullaillaco, 22,100 feet above sea level.

Frozen Inca Mummy Goes on Display

The find – using a new technique of swabbing the lips and comparing the swabs with those of current patients – is the first time a disease has been ‘diagnosed’ in such an ancient body.

‘Pathogen detection in ancient tissues isn’t new, but until now it’s been impossible to say whether the infectious agent was latent or active,’ says Corthals.

‘Our technique opens a new door to solving some of history’s biggest mysteries, such as the reasons why the flu of 1918 was so devastating. It will also enhance our understanding of our future’s greatest threats, such as the emergence of new infectious agents or re-emergence of known infectious diseases.’

The analysis was possible because of the incredible preservation of the mummy, which is so well-preserved there were still lice in her hair.

The team swabbed the lips of two Andean Inca mummies, buried at 22,000-feet elevation and originally discovered in 1999, and compared the proteins they found to large databases of the human genome.

The view from the summit of Llullaillaco volcano where the children where found

The view from the summit of Llullaillaco volcano where the children were found. The children were plucked from these slopes in 1999 by a team who battled for three days through driving blizzards and 70mph winds to reach the summit

Child sacrifice was called capacocha.  The process of capacocha could begin years before the selected person was killed. A mummified body of a child who was killed during one such sacrifice is pictured here

Child sacrifice was called capacocha. The process of capacocha could begin years before the selected person was killed. A mummified body of a child who was killed during one such sacrifice is pictured here

This 15-year-old girl lived in the Inca empire and was sacrificed 500 years  ago as an offering to the gods. (Rest of the information in the comments  section) : r/interestingasҒUCҜ

This Inca girl was frozen for 500 years. She just got a new face.

Inca Girl Frozen For 500 Years Now On Display - Science/Technology (2) -  Nigeria

 

 

Related Posts

The Enduring Stones of Ollantaytambo: Inca Engineering in the Heart of the Andes

The Enduring Stones of Ollantaytambo: Inca Engineering in the Heart of the Andes

Deep within the Sacred Valley of Peru lies Ollantaytambo, one of the most remarkable remnants of the Inca civilization. Nestled among the soaring peaks of the Andes,…

10,000-Year-Old Rock Paintings in Chhattisgarh Hint at Ancient Encounters with “Aliens” and “UFOs”

In the dense forests of Chhattisgarh, India, a remarkable discovery has captured the attention of archaeologists and historians alike. A series of ancient rock paintings dating back…

Why Berserkers Were Some Of History’s Most Feared Warriors

The most feared warriors of their era, Viking berserkers ingested hallucinogens to enter a trance-like fury before battle. In the fierce culture of the Vikings, there was…

Arctic review – stark eco warnings from the ice-braving hunters who battled whales

From sleds made of bones to supernatural sealskin hunting suits, this stirring show celebrates the heroism and ingenuity of humans who survive in balance with nature A whaling…

The Edmund Fitzgerald started its tragic journey 48 years ago today

LAKE SUPERIOR, MI – It was 48 years ago today that the Edmund Fitzgerald was being loaded with 26,000 tons of iron ore, prepped for what would…

Pura Dalem Segara Madu

, Pura Dalem Segara Madhu is also known as Pura Dalem Jagaraga. It is located in the north of Bali, 11 kilometers east of the city of…