Throughout human history there have been many cultures that sacrificed animals to appease their gods. Of course, somewhat more morbidly, there have also been those that have sacrificed humans.
One of the worst cases in recent memory was discovered during an excavation in Peru, and it’s not for the faint of heart.
“Faces painted with a red cinnabar pigment, open mouths that still seem to howl with pain, remnants of textiles that oppressed their small bodies, dislocated ribs, a sternum cut in half and numerous skeletons of the young.” This was the scene that, according to National Geographic, awaited archaeologist Gabriel Preto, when he led an excavation in 2011 focusing on Huanchaquito-Las Llamas in northern Peru.
Excavation that shocked the world
The people who lived in the area had told the archaeologist that there were remains to be found at a certain site. They were right: Preto’s initial digging uncovered the skeletons of 42 children and 76 young llamas.
By the time the excavation was complete, in 2016, they’d unearthed remains from more than 140 girls and boys – all between 4 and 14-years-old, as well as the bones from 200 llamas.
According to the National Geographic, the most likely conclusion is that these children and animals were used in sacrificial ceremonies some time between 1400 and 1450. This is backed up by assessments made of the textile samples found at the site.
The Chimu civilisation
It’s believed the site was built by the Chimu empire.
“There is evidence of human sacrificial events among the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas thanks to the Spanish colonial chronicles and modern scientific excavations, but “the discovery of a large scale sacrificial infant event in the little known and pre-Columbian Chimu civilization is unprecedented in the American continent and maybe not in the whole world,” says Kristin Romey.
“The skeletal remains (a sternum cut in half and dislocated ribs) evidence the use of macabre violence: their breasts were opened, probably to extract their hearts,” the article reads.
Wow! Many believe this is the largest known child sacrifice in history. Can you imagine such a terrible thing happening today?
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