According to recent data, children sacrificed to appease the gods were under the influence of drugs and alcohol before their deaths, media reports.
It is not surprising that being a victim among the Incas was an extremely difficult ordeal. As studies conducted in 2013 show, children faced alcohol and drug intoxication before their deaths. Just recently, scientists provided new evidence that the sacrifice of these children was a true nightmare.
In January, a study was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, in which scientists analyzed the mummified remains of children found on the peaks of Peruvian volcanoes, such as Ampato and Sara Sara. Four girls, known as Ampato No. 1, No. 2, No. 4, and Sara Sara, became victims of capacocha — an important Inca ritual associated with political events and natural disasters.
The Incas chose children as sacred representatives of their communities so that they could stand before the gods. Spanish chronicles described these children as physically perfect victims; however, the results of computed tomography show a different picture.
Computed tomography reveals the true horrors of child sacrifices among the Incas.
Ampato No. 1, known as Lady Ampato, died at around 14 years of age from blunt force trauma to the head and pelvis. Ampato No. 2, who was about eight years old, also died from a traumatic brain injury and had chronic health issues, which calls into question the notion that only ideal children were chosen for sacrifice. Sara Sara, who also died at 14, had similar injuries and signs of stress.
The case of Ampato No. 4 is particularly noteworthy. She died at around 10 years of age from a head injury. Computed tomography shows that her body may have been altered after death. Researchers found stones and tissues in her abdominal cavity, as well as signs that she may have been stored multiple times. She is now considered the first known case of intentional mummification of a child in capacocha.
Spanish chronicles mention how living people turned to the preserved bodies of Inca rulers. Given that all evidence suggests that Ampato No. 4 was treated similarly, it can be assumed that the sacrificed child continued to perform a ritual function even after her death, especially in communities that were forced to relocate.
