For the public understanding of archaeology: The Ice Maiden’s story reached a massive international audience through television documentaries, newspaper and magazine articles, and the internet’s early years of archaeological enthusiasm.

For many people, she was the discovery that made ancient Siberian archaeology real and vivid.

The Final Accounting

The woman found frozen in the Ukok Plateau in 1993 has been examined, debated, published, contested, returned, and displayed.

She has been called a princess, a shaman, a priestess, and an elite noblewoman.

She has been credited with causing earthquakes and credited with revealing ancient trade routes.

She has been the subject of scholarly monographs and tabloid headlines.