NOVA · Season 26 · Episode 7

“Ice Mummies (2): Siberian Ice Maiden”

Aired Wednesday 25 November 1998

In this second of a three part series, the Siberian Ice Maiden, discovered in the Pastures of Heaven on the high Steppes, is believed to have been a shamaness of the lost Pazyryk culture. She had been mummified and then frozen by freak climatic conditions around 2400 years ago, along with six decorated horses and a symbolic meal for her last journey. Her body was covered with vivid blue tattoos of mythical animal figures. Together with the newly discovered body of a man, nicknamed "Conan," her body has now been restored, and is providing new clues to the role and power of women in the nomadic peoples of ancient Siberia.

S26 E7 discussion