Human sacrifice dating back 3,000 years? Ancient skeleton remains found in Peru shock scientists

Time of India

3 days ago

Photo: Reuters
Archaeologists have recently made a discovery that transports us back 3,000 years, into the heart of a civilization that existed long before the Incas. A team of researchers has made surprising discoveries whose arrangement and condition hide behind them a ritual long forgotten by time.
Although it may sound like something that is completely unheard of and unsettling, the way these individuals were buried caught experts' attention and led to an investigation into what it might reveal about ancient beliefs.
What was the discovery about, and what makes it special
Archaeologists working on Peru's northern coast have found the skeletal remains of 14 individuals dating back around 3,000 years, and the signs suggest these were victims of ritual human sacrifice.
According to Reuters, the site lies near an alleged ceremonial temple of the Cupisnique culture, which was an ancient civilization that flourished more than a millennium before the rise of the Inca Empire.
These bodies are different from normal graves
These bodies were buried in a way that stands out starkly from other ancient graves in Peru, with their faces down and their hands tied behind their backs. According to Henri Tantalean, the lead archaeologist of the excavation, 'The way in which these individuals were buried is atypical, as are the traumas and injuries they suffered during life and the violence they endured'.
He added that the positioning of the bodies 'is a typical form of human sacrifice'.
Photo: Reuters
What's more, these remains were not accompanied by the usual offerings or treasures archaeologists often find in rich, ceremonial burials. Instead, they were placed in simple pits within sand mounds, suggesting a different kind of ritual, one focused on sacrifice rather than honor or reverence.
Where has this discovery been made
The find was located in the La Libertad region, approximately 675 kilometers north of Peru's capital, Lima.
The discovery adds a new and somber dimension to Peru's already rich list of archaeological wonders, joining such iconic sites as Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines.
This discovery allows us to look into the darker aspects of ancient ritual life in the region of northern Peru, shedding light on how early societies practiced spirituality, power, and sacrifice.
The absence of grave goods and the unusual burial arrangements hint at deep cultural beliefs that may have viewed such offerings as necessary in appeasing deities, demonstrating devotion, or asserting control.
All photos and inputs have been taken from Reuters