Archaeologists have made a breakthrough in the study of Inca ritual practices, proving that children were intentionally mummified after their sacrifice. This is a significant discovery in the study of the sacred rites of the Inca Empire.
This is reported by Finway
New Data on the Capacocha Ritual
The Capacocha ritual was considered one of the most brutal manifestations of religious life among the Incas. For a long time, based on Spanish chronicles, it was believed that only physically flawless children were chosen for the ritual. However, modern research, particularly computed tomography, has significantly changed this perception.
Scientists found that an eight-year-old girl who became a victim of the ritual suffered from Chagas disease, had calcifications in her lungs, and an enlarged esophagus. Another mummy, known as Juanita or “Lady of Ampato,” had numerous post-mortem injuries to her chest and pelvis. This indicates that for the Incas, the ritual status of the child was more important than their physical perfection.
Remarkable Findings of the Ampato 4 Mummy
The most significant discovery was the study of the mummy labeled as Ampato 4. Using CT scanning, researchers found displaced bones, stone fragments, and tissue remnants in the abdominal cavity. This confirms the fact of deliberate intervention in the body after death. Scientists suggest that the girl was killed in one location, after which her body was specially prepared and reburied at the top of the volcano. This ritual aimed to establish a spiritual connection with the new territory of the empire.
“Tomography revealed data that cannot be seen with the naked eye,” explains Dagmara Socha. “This is the first confirmed case of intentional mummification of a Capacocha victim along with a number of post-mortem pathologies and injuries.”
The research also showed that all the children found died from severe blows to the head. However, the role of these children in Inca society did not end with their death. Their mummies remained an important part of religious life: they were moved, cared for, and used as elements of collective memory.