Guestbook

QUESTION:How did you get into this business ?

QUESTION:What did you feel when you discovered the mummy?

ANSWER:I was at first excited, as I knew that it was rare to find such a mummy bundle in such a religious context and that much information could be obtained from everything associated with the body and from studies of the body itself. But my excitement became much more intense when I realized the body was that of female and that it was frozen. I knew that it was the first discovery of its kind, and it would be like a window into the past. Many unique findings would be possible, e.g. the person’s diet, diseases, DNA, how Inca women wore their clothing, etc.

QUESTION:What is the emotional impact of looking off Mt. Everest?

ANSWER:It was a strange mixture of awe at the beauty, while feeling insignificant and yet "on top of the world" at the same time. There was a strong sense of fulfilling a lifetime’s dream in the midst of so much history.

QUESTION:Why do you continue in Peru?

ANSWER:We have established a fine team, both for the laboratory and for research in the mountains, and have for the first time a solid infrastructure of equipment (again both for the lab and mountains), all the while having several important sites to investigate.

QUESTION:What form of life did you discover in the volcano’s crater lake?

ANSWER:We found both phytoplankton and zooplankton, the latter being a new species of crustacean.

QUESTION:What did you think of all the press coverage given to the mummy?

ANSWER:It was more than I expected and generally was good and helpful both for the long term conservation of the ice mummy (by making its importance clear) and for the different levels of Peruvian society (village, city, and state), who were generally pleased at the publicity about the discovery and the mummy’s conservation and exhibition. However, it was disturbing to see how rumors and false information could get easily get published. I was surprised at how little even the best press organizations check the facts.

QUESTION:Why was the Ice Maiden named Juanita?

ANSWER:The Peruvian team members chose this because they wanted a name that was easy to remember and common in the villages (even among speakers of other langauges). It was not known where the ice maiden originally came from, and if from the Colca Canyon (near Ampato) then the two languages spoken there weren’t known. And she could have easily been an Aymara or Quechua speaker. In the end the team selected a simple name common even in areas where other languages are spoken. But it should be emphasized that the name was chosen informally to use among the team members (tired of just saying "the mummy") and it became used by the public only after the press published it.

QUESTION:How would you define the dangers of your field of research?

ANSWER:The work I do on mountain summits is occasionally dangerous, more due to changing weather than to difficulties relating to climbing. Electrical storms are especially to be feared and even a simple twisting of an ankle can cause serious problems when at altitudes over 20,000’ high. But I view this as part of the job and not much more dangerous than walking city streets at night or driving regularly in rush hour traffic. Accidents can mostly be avoided, if you are physically and mentally prepared and you carefully plan your work

QUESTION:What do you miss about the Himalayas?

ANSWER:The people of Nepal who are extremely friendly, especially if you speak the Nepali language, as I do. The combination of rugged terrain, spectacular views, and fascinating cultures make for a wonderful combination, difficult to find anywhere else in the world.

QUESTION:What would be your favorite place in the world?

ANSWER:Each place has its own special aspects. I like the Himalayas for the reasons noted above. But in the Andes there are so many fascinating places to explore and things to discover.

QUESTION:What transportation do you use?

ANSWER:Usually a variety of transportation is used to get to a place I work in the Andes and the Himalayas. First, a plane (to reach the country or city), then a vehicle or small plane (to get nearer to the mountain), then (sometimes) a mule or horse (in the Andes) or porters (in the Himalayas) (to get to the foot of the mountain), and finally trekking and climbing to reach places higher on a mountain

QUESTION:What is your normal day at work like?

ANSWER:While at a site on a mountain, I usually have a simple breakfast while waiting for the sun to rise and warm up (a little anyway!) the air at our campsite. I check my gear, the weather, and my teammates to see that all is well. We go over the work plan and then climb to the actual site to begin surveying and excavating ruins. At the end of the day we make sure all the finds are well protected and the notes are up-to-date, then return to camp to discuss the next day’s program and write up any further notes...and have a very welcome hot meal.

Back from the field in the city, my usual work day is much different. It consists of writing, reading, correspondence…in short, the kind of normal hard work that is necessary to turn the discoveries and information obtained while on the mountain into something that can be used by others.

QUESTION:What equipment do you take with you to the mountains?

ANSWER:My work involves using not only the normal tools of archaeology (such as measuring tapes, notebooks, cameras, trowels, brushes, etc.), but also mountaineering equipment (such as ice axes, backpacks, ropes, altimeters, climbing boots, special sleeping bags, clothing, stoves and tents, etc.) and medical supplies for emergencies. I keep a checklist with categories for each kind of equipment I need.

QUESTION:What is the most difficult thing about your high altitude archaeological work?

ANSWER:The hardest thing about my job is keeping a team working hard over several days while everyone is suffering from the effects of the altitude to some degree. Our work is usually above 17,000’ and frequently much higher. People tire quickly, lose their appetites, don’t sleep well, and often feel at least a little ill (headaches, nausea, coughs, sore throats, and colds are common). In the city the hardest thing is keeping up with all the reports, project proposals, correspondence, reading the constantly appearing scientific publications which relate to the project, etc.

QUESTION:What was the most important discovery you ever made?

ANSWER:The biggest discovery I ever made was probably the frozen Inca mummy (the "Ice Maiden") I located at 20,700.’ This is one of the best preserved mummies from ancient times, and it has provided a wealth of original information. I am most proud, however, of the totality of the work I have done relating to mountain worship and high altitude archaeology. This is because it has led not only to new discoveries like the ice maiden and many other rare artifacts, it has also led to increasing our understanding of Andean cultures in general. I have been able to develop better explanations for some of archaeology’s greatest mysteries, such as the giant drawings in the desert in Peru (the Nazca Lines) and the ruins of Machu Picchu. The discoveries I have made in my mind have been more exciting to me than those I have made in the field.

QUESTION:What other projects would you like to do in the future?

ANSWER:I have a large list of projects which I would like to undertake—so many in fact that I could never do them all even if I had all the money in the world and another lifetime to do them. Most of all I hope to do several more high altitude archaeological excavations in other Andean countries, since very few scientific excavations have ever been done, and they yield not only unique and well-preserved artifacts, but also a wealth of information about Inca religion. Also, the sites are being rapidly destroyed by looters and the artifacts and information will soon be lost forever. Aside from that, I want to continue with my research on the importance of the sacred Himalayas in Buddhism and Hinduism and my studies of the "hidden lands" of Tibetan Buddhism.

QUESTION: What kind of food do you eat?

ANSWER: At the high altitudes we work (usually over 16,000’ and sometimes up to 22,000’) the food we eat has to be simple and easy to make. Soups are normally the first course at night, and the second course usually (if time allows) consists of quick rice, potatos or pasta with some kind of meat and vegetables. Sometimes special freeze-dried meals (quick to prepare) are eaten at high altitudes. Breakfast depends on the circumstances, e.g. eggs (sometimes possible at Base Camp and at the start of an expedition), pancakes, cereals, bread and jam, and tea. Lunch is often simple: just bread and cheese, maybe some meat (e.g. salami, sardines), chocolate, a piece of fruit and some nuts.

QUESTION: Is there any difficulty about cooking and eating at high altitudes?

ANSWER: At high altitudes, water boils at a lower temperature, because of the reduced atmospheric pressure. Thus everything takes longer to cook. Many people do not have much of an appetite and lose weight while high on a mountain.

QUESTION: Are the villagers in agreement with removing a mummy from their sacred mountain?

ANSWER: The vast majority of villagers have been supportive of the expeditions and the excavations of mummies which we have done in the past. There are invariably some villagers actively involved in the project (at least if a village exists near where we work), and we provide reports, photos, videos (if taken), and inventories of the items found. We have helped set up committees for the protection of the archaeological sites and also supported the construction of village museums in some cases. Villagers are well aware of the difficulty in protecting the mountaintop sites from looters and support the preservation of their cultural patrimony. The only way this can be guaranteed to date is through careful excavating and preservation of the items recovered.

QUESTION: Why were children offered as sacrifices?

ANSWER: The Incas believed that children, especially those without any blemishes, were the most valuable sacrificial offerings. Often they were chosen by their own families. It was considered a great honor not only for the child but for the family as well, since the child was believed to become in effect deified and to live together with the gods. They, too, would receive offerings from the villagers.

QUESTION: What is the weather like in Peru?

ANSWER: The weather is generally dry in the southern Peru highlands during North American fall months, except for the occasional snowfall and storms we got at high altitudes. This year the El Nino has caused there to be much more precipitation than normal for the area we work in. During the day, when the sun shines and the wind isn’t blowing, it can be relatively warm. But as soon as the sun goes behind a cloud, it gets windy, or the sun drops below the horizon, it becomes cold (usually about 15°F during the night).

QUESTION: How has this technological revolution changed the nature of exploration?

ANSWER: In the past explorers usually had to wait until an expedition was over before reporting on the events that occurred during it. Even if there were radio links, these were normally kept to basic information, with little or no direct communication with people not directly involved in the expedition. Using the new technology, explorers can now be in contact with people around the world and in "real" time, i.e. as events are occurring. It is even possible to send images via satellite so that people can see exactly what is being discussed. Explorers can know exactly where they are located, what the weather will be, and arrange for things to be done while the expedition is still ongoing. In the latter case, this could involve everything from obtaining help in medical emergencies to arranging for additional supplies and equipment that might be needed. Information acquired can be more accurately and quickly obtained and stored...and, if desired, transmitted to ones colleagues for analysis. Taken together these technological advances have changed the nature of exploration by making it safer and more likely to successfully meet its goals.

QUESTION: How has this technological revolution changed the nature of education?

ANSWER:One of the most exciting aspects of the new technology is the way it can link people from different parts of the globe quickly while cutting across different cultural, political, and educational backgrounds. People can become more directly involved, and this has always been the most successful way to learn about something. At the same time, thanks to the links that are quickly accessed across the Internet, people can pursue their own interests beyond the subject of any particular event. For example, an archaeological expedition might deal with weather, health, human biology, current politics, etc., and anyone is free to follow up on these topics at will. Contacts can also be made easily between people who share the same interests. This has revolutionized the entire learning process by having people be more direct participants in it.

QUESTION: What are the dangers, if any, of these new technologies?

ANSWER: There are negative aspects to virtually everything, and the new technology has its share. One concerns the misuse of information. For example, in the case of new archaeological discoveries this could lead to looters going to a site before it could be completely excavated and/or adequately protected. Also, by being so quickly available, the information may not be as well thought out, and thus could lead to misunderstandings. There is also the problem of the sheer flood of information, which can come from many sources, some of which are less than reliable and thus potentially harmful. The Internet allows for easier appropriation of other peoples’ work and for manipulating it in ways that were not originally intended. However, such concerns have always been with us whenever new systems of communication have arisen.