2,500-year-old Russian princess uncovered 21 years ago

The mummified remains of the Russian ice maiden were discovered 21 years ago in a high altitude plateau in the heart of south-western Siberia.

But her removal led to concern among local elders who called for her to be put back in her final resting place to 'stop her anger that caused floods and earthquakes'.

Ancient beliefs dictate that her presence in the burial chamber had been to 'bar the entrance to the kingdom of the dead'.

Now the Siberian Times has reported plans have finally been put forward to reinter the body back into the ground in the Russia's Altai Mountains and honour her with her own special mausoleum. 

Located on the pristine grasslands of the 2,500 metre high Ukok Plateau, the beautiful monument to Princess Ukok could be started next year.

The tattooed mummy was excavated by Novosibirsk scientist Natalia Polosmak in 1993 and was heralded as 'one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century'.

Thought to be about 25 years old when she died of suspected cancer, she was found preserved in permafrost, with two men also discovered nearby.

Buried around her were six horses, saddled and bridled and said to have been her spiritual escorts to the next world, along with a meal of sheep and horse meat.

Archaeologists also found ornaments made from felt, wood, bronze and gold as well as a small container of cannabis and a stone plate on which coriander seeds were burned.

From her clothes and possessions including a 'cosmetics bag', scientists were able to recreate her fashion and beauty secrets.

She was dressed in a long shirt made from Chinese silk, and had long felt sleeve boots with a beautiful decoration on them.

At this time Chinese silk was only ever found in royal burials of the Pazyrk people, and since it was more expensive than gold it gave an indication of her wealth and status.

(dailymail.co.uk)