The importance of the Ice Maiden
Johan Reinhard’s 1995 discovery of the 500-year-old Inca “Ice Maiden” could easily have been the apex of his life. One of the best-preserved bodies from pre-Columbian times thrilled millions worldwide, unleashing a wealth of knowledge.
"The Ice Maiden was discovered by chance, it had its own kind of drama. It was an incredible adventure and I knew it was going to be an important discovery right at the time of finding it.”
Yet the high-altitude cultural anthropologist and archaeologist was not satisfied with this achievement. He was convinced that better-preserved mummies were yet to be found on remote Andean mountain-tops. And, as the looting of ancient sites became a global business, he was determined to rescue and preserve the patrimony of the Andean people.
Latest Update
From Peru’s ice maiden to Italy’s ice man
American anthropologist-archaeologist Johan Reinhard is continuing his exploration and research around the world related to sacred sites, many of them on mountain tops.
- Project Location
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Jun’ichi Shinozaki
Research the environment in the mountains of the Pacific Rim
Antonio De Vivo
Explore underground rivers and caves of the Rio La Venta Canyon
- Other 1987 Laureates
- Contact Information
Johan Reinhard Ph.D.
Explorer-in-Residence
National Geographic Society
Home Address:
409 N. Main St. - Box 69
Franklin, WV 26807
United StatesTel: + 1 304-358-7023
johanreinhard@hotmail.com
