Museum of Andean shrines was established in 1996, after major archaeological research project "Shrine height Sur Andino", headed by Dr. Johan Reinhard and Jose Antonio Chavez. The museum is located frozen "Mummy Juanita" and other objects of the Inca culture.

Studies conducted by the Catholic University of Santa Maria for four decades in the region of Arequipa, has been found many archaeological artifacts that are now on display in seven halls of the museum. The world-famous mummy "Juanita, the girl in the ice" with her dowry - one of the most famous exhibits of the museum, which can be seen from May 1 to December 31 of each year. The remaining four months Juanita is in complete darkness, for a better conservation of the frozen body of the girl (her body was not subjected to the process of mummification). Juanita, also known as Lady Ampat, was found in 1995 on the slopes of the volcano at a height Ampat 5800 meters above sea level. Juanita radiocarbon studies showed that she was 530 years old, more precise time of burial - 1466 AD.

Visitors can also see the exhibits made from wood, metal, textiles, gold and ceramics, which were used in the ceremonies of the Inca Capac Cocha, Viracocha, as well as gold and ceramic figurines, well-preserved blankets.

Currently, the research center UCSM at the Catholic University of Santa Maria de Arequipa has 6 special freezers with a temperature of 26 ° C below zero, as well as two special exhibition booth with maintaining such a temperature, and computer control of the operator. Also in the museum is installed air conditioning system for the conservation of archaeological materials.