Why a 2,500-Year-Old Mummy Turned Into a Battleground Between Nationalism And Science
The Siberian Ice Maiden continues to invoke strong emotions
On September 27, 2003, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Altai area. 300 houses were damaged, and three people lost their lives.
Many people in this region, where shamans still hold sway, were ready to attribute their misfortune to upsetting their ancestors. We can trace the source of their fears back a decade.
In the summer of 1993, a team of archaeologists was digging in Altai’s Ukok plateau. The region is close to the China-Russia border. Natalia Polosmak, the project’s lead archaeologist, was growing impatient. Her team dug for over two months, only to discover decaying meat and six frozen horses in the permafrost.
On July 19th, a jawbone appeared. Soon, they saw a shoulder with a beautiful blue tattoo. A mummy emerged from the permafrost.
The media began calling the mummy the “Siberian Ice Maiden,” and the name stuck. This incredible discovery had scientists excited. But for the locals, it was a disrespect to their traditions.
The dead shouldn’t have been disturbed.
