In Peru, a groundbreaking archaeological discovery has been made, as archaeologists have uncovered 227 carefully arranged bodies at a site associated with the pre-Columbian Chimu culture. This remarkable find represents the largest-ever collection of sacrificed children, shedding light on ancient rituals and practices.
The excavation took place in Huanchaco, a coastal town north of Lima, where archaeologists have been diligently working since the previous year. Feren Castillo, the lead archaeologist on the project, expressed the significance of the discovery, stating, “This is the biggest site where the remains of sacrificed children have been found.” The sacrificed children, ranging in age from four to 14, were offered in rituals honoring the gods of the Chimu culture.
According to Castillo, the sacrificial acts were carried out as a means to appease the El Nino phenomenon. The evidence suggests that these events occurred during the rainy season, indicating a connection between the rituals and the climatic conditions. Castillo acknowledged that there might still be more to uncover at the site.
The sheer magnitude of the discovery has left experts astounded. Castillo commented, “It’s unfathomable, this thing with the children. Wherever you dig, there’s another one.” Some of the children’s remains were found with preserved skin and hair, providing a rare glimpse into the past.
Huanchaco was a significant site for child sacrifices during the height of the Chimú culture, which thrived between 1200 and 1400. Previous findings in June 2018, in the town’s Pampa la Cruz necropolis, revealed 56 skeletons. The necropolis is in proximity to Huanchaco, where an earlier discovery in April 2018 exposed the remains of 140 sacrificed children and 200 llamas.
The Chimu civilization once extended along the Peruvian coast to Ecuador but mysteriously vanished in 1475 after succumbing to conquest by the Inca Empire. This latest archaeological revelation adds depth to our understanding of the intricate practices and beliefs of ancient civilizations in the region.