Dan Snow comes face to face with an Inca ‘ice mummy': "Nothing can prepare you"

Daily Mirror

a day ago

TV historian Dan Snow goes to the ancient site of Machu Picchu in Peru where he makes some exciting discoveries
Dan Snow comes face to face with an Inca 'ice mummy' in this latest travel show, Dan Snow & The Lost City, on 5 tonight (Thursday 5th June) at 9pm. The 'mummy' is a young girl who was frozen in time when she was sacrificed to the mountain Gods at Machu Picchu in Peru around 600 years ago. But now, using new archaeology and recently discovered ancient records, a picture can be pieced together of life and death in this extraordinary place.
In this 90-minute special, Dan explores the unfolding story of these amazing finds. On his journey to the incredible UNESCO heritage site of Machu Picchu, Dan climbs into the mountains on the trail of the incredible lost city of the Incas. The magical metropolis perched high amongst the clouds, was rediscovered, overgrown by jungle, over 100 years ago.
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Dan says: 'Machu Picchu is the most overwhelming location for a historical site. Nothing can prepare you for arriving there - it's like a great big Coluseum. It is truly like a lost city in the jungle. It's the thing you dream about when you're a little kid and it's right there, sitting high up in the Andes.'
He adds: 'I was lucky enough to go when they were doing some scientific research on an Inca Ice Mummy. It turned out to be the body of a 12-year-old Incan girl, and she was perfectly preserved in the ice. I had to hold it for a minute and I ended up with her in my arms and she's the age of my daughter. It was one of the most overwhelming things.'
*Dan Snow and the Lost City is airing on 5 tonight at 9pm
There's plenty more on TV tonight - here's the best of the rest..
THE BRITISH SOAP AWARDS 2025, ITV1, 8pm
Looking back on 12 months of murder, make ups, break ups, mystery and mayhem, this is the night to celebrate the nation's best loved soap operas. Jane McDonald hosts the glam affair at The Hackney Empire, London, where the four biggest soaps - Corrie, Enders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, battle it out for awards. It's been a big year, in which Gail Platt left the cobbles after 50 years, the Albert Square residents celebrated 40 years on air, a dramatic limo crash shocked Emmerdale fans and Hollyoaks jumped a year into the future with explosive twists and turns.
The Platts, Slaters, Dingles and Osbornes will be vying for Best Family, while Jack P. Shepherd (David), Patsy Palmer (Bianca), Nicola Wheeler (Nicola) and Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra) are all hoping to win Best Comedy Performance. Other gongs up for grabs include Best Storyline, Villain of the Year, Scene of the Year and of course Best British Soap. Jane says: 'I can't wait to get my glittery frock on.'
AMBULANCE, BBC1, 9pm
More stories of heroism from the frontlines as we follow ambulance workers working to save lives. It's a tonic for the soul. In this episode call handlers are frustrated as they deal with a sexually abusive caller who has already rung 999 seven times in the past hour. It's proving difficult to trace his calls. A call comes in for a patient who has been stabbed in the chest in Croydon.
Paramedics Phillipa and James are immediately dispatched alongside another ambulance, police, an incident response officer and London's air ambulance, HEMS. Working in Wimbledon, crewmates Astrid and Lydia are dispatched to an 85-year-old woman who has broken her ankle after falling down the stairs. Arriving on the scene, they find Enid lying on the floor in extreme pain, with her ankle bone exposed. Enid's concerned neighbours are at a loss for what to do as the elderly lady reveals she has never felt the need for an ambulance before.
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EMMERDALE, ITV1, 7pm
Finally, the grim discovery of the body in the lake is revealed to be Nate's. Cain and Moira are blindsided when they find out. When Cain hears that the body is so decomposed that he can't even visit his son, he starts to experience flashbacks to their last interaction. Cain is also now in the frame due to the fight he had with Nate on the day he died. He's furious as the police question him. Chas and Tracy become suspicious.
EASTENDERS, BBC1, 7.30pm
Kat and Alfie prepare to celebrate their joint stag and hen party. Kat is thrilled when Kim reveals the theme of the 'hag', but her happiness is short-lived when she makes a worrying discovery on the family computer. At The Vic, the karaoke party is a flop and Elaine is furious when Kim reveals that Cindy's relaunch party is a success. Elaine decides to attend the party to annoy Cindy. Tommy is furious when Kat reveals that Amy is babysitting.