Meet the young tattooed priestess who ruled an ancient Peruvian valley, 1,700 years ago

She died in her twenties some 1,700 years ago, and is believed to have ruled over a desert valley in ancient Peru where her elaborately tattooed body was buried with weapons and gold objects.

But a glimpse of the former priestess, the Lady of Cao, can now be seen in a replica of her face unveiled by culture officials and archaeologists on Monday.

Using 3D imaging technology and forensics archaeology, the replica was based on the Lady of Cao’s skull structure and ethnographic research and took 10 months to create, Peru’s culture ministry said.

The goal, said Culture Minister Salvador del Solar, was to bring the world closer to one of Peru’s best archaeological finds and remind Peruvians of their rich cultural heritage.

“Its relevance is really incalculable,” del Solar said of the oval-shaped face with high cheekbones on display under a golden crown. “We can now show the world her face, a face that Peruvians see ourselves in.”