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Connecting Climate and Culture
Juanita was killed as a practice of capacocha, or child sacrifice, to appease Inca Gods, or Apus. This practice often involves sacrificing a child at a huaca, or ceremonial shrine in a significant spiritual location, in this case Mt. Ampato. Children were selected as they were considered pure beings and worthy of giving to the Inca Gods. These children, like Juanita, once sacrificed become messengers to the Apu(s) and act as negotiators for the people. The people in turn would worship the sacrificed children in unison with the gods. Ceremonial offerings happened annually, seasonally, or upon special occasions.

Juanita and several others were likely sacrificed to appease the Gods after volcanic eruptions on the nearby Misti (1440-1450) and Sabancaya (1466) volcanos. Volcanic eruptions cause irregularities in climate that can last between 3-5 years depending on location and intensity. In these circumstances, precipitation patterns are altered due to particulate presence in the air. These periods are usually indicated by abnormal dryness or wetness. Overall, research has indicated that volcanic eruptions lead to a general trend of drought or less precipitation. Particulate from the explosions can also contaminate water supply and air quality. This is further depicted by Reinhard's observations and understandings from the field site, "the sacrifices were made either during a lengthy period of extreme drought, during (or just after) volcanic eruptions or both. Only in such periods could the ground have been unfrozen enough to allow the Incas to build the sites and bury the offerings as they did. And this factor could explain their importance. Droughts and volcanic ash would kill off pasturage and pollute and deplete the water sources so critical to the villagers below".

It is probable that Juanita was sacrificed in response to climatic irregularities to placate the Gods in return for water. Incan belief at the time was that mountains (and their spirits) controlled weather and water and, thus, were intertwined with the villages below. The prosperity of the crops and people depended on the approval of the mountain deity to provide water for their consumption and irrigation. Water is a life-giving source and was perceived to be connected with femininity and fertility. Therefore, the mountains that provided water were attributed to be female deities by the Incas. By sacrificing a young female, it was believed in Southern Peru that this would appease the Mountain deity to provide consistent water supply to the region.

Others have suggested that child sacrifice could in part be used a political strategy by Incan leaders to ensure control over the empire. Sacrifices during this time of empire expansion would infix a combination of respect and fear while further embedding devotion.