Constanza Ceruti

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Constanza Ceruti (born January 11, 1973, in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is an Argentine anthropologist and mountaineer who became the world’s first woman to specialize in high‑altitude archaeology. She has conducted more than 80 field surveys, many with National Geographic, across the Andes in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, and in sacred mountain regions around the world.

Her most famous discovery is the Llullaillaco mummies: three well‑preserved Inca children found atop the Llullaillaco volcano at about 6,700 meters. The mummies, surrounded by rich offerings, are considered among the best preserved in the world and are housed at the Museum of High Mountain Archaeology (MAAM) in Salta. Ceruti’s analyses have shed light on the Capacocha ceremony and the high‑altitude life and origins of the children.

Education and career: Ceruti earned her anthropology degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 1996, graduating with a Gold Medal. She earned a cum laude doctorate from the National University of Cuyo in 2001, becoming the first person to specialize in high‑altitude archaeology. She is a professor of Inca Archaeology at the Catholic University of Salta (UCASAL), founder and ad‑honorem director of the Institute of High Mountain Investigations, and a researcher with CONICET. She is also a member of several scientific and explorers organizations.

Her work focuses on excavating Inca ceremonial centers on mountain summits above 6,000 meters and studying sacred mountains and their roles in religion, culture, identity and tourism. Ceruti has climbed more than 100 peaks above 5,000 meters and has conducted fieldwork in many countries, including Nepal, India, Australia, Europe, North and South America.

Publications and honors: She has written about 25 books, including several on high‑mountain archaeology, and more than 100 scientific papers. Her groundbreaking research has earned recognition such as the Golden Condor award for her contributions to science and archaeology.