Ancient Inca graves containing possible child sacrifices discovered

A site of an ancient temple at Chotuna-Chornancap, in Lambayeque region on Peru’s northern coast revealed more than 13 graves dated to 15th and 16th cent. BC. Among the graves two burials containing the remains of footless children, possibly ritually sacrificed, have been found.

Burial at the Chotuna-Chornancap site (after Fox News Latino)
Burial at the Chotuna-Chornancap site (after Fox News Latino)

The graves belonged to the people of the Chimu-Inca culture and beside the remains of the dead contained ceramic offerings and decorative elements. Six of the individuals were children, placed in pairs inside shallow graves on North, East and West ends of the ruins. The skeletons two children were found footless, as if amputated, possibly through ceremonial sacrifice in order to create guardians of the tombs. Other individuals, both men and women were buried face0up in narrow, long graves.

A distinct grave was found at the centre of the group. It contained offerings similar to those depicted in a polychromatic painting that was discovered earlier in the Chornancap temple, such as two clay pots and a sculpted vessel in a shape suggesting the head of a “coquero,” a coca-leaf chewer. Beside these finds another sculpted vessel in the shape of a male standing up and smiling was found.

(after Fox News Latino)

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