A group of researchers from Poland, the United States and Peru proved that Inca children selected for sacrifice
Previous studies have shown thathuman sacrifice—capacocha, or hapak hucha—was a common practice in Incan society. They were carried out by priests as a means of controlling the population. Ceremonies involving sacrifice were usually held to celebrate major events, such as the birth of a king's son or victory in battle. Typically, young women and children were chosen for sacrifice. In the new work, the researchers examined hair and nail samples from two Inca children (age 6 or 7) about 500 years ago.
When studying the samples, the researchers founda small amount of drugs, as well as two compounds from a flowering vine known to be used to make ayahuasca. This is a decoction drink, an entheogen and a hallucinogen, traditionally prepared by the shamans of the Indian tribes of the Amazon basin and used by local residents to “communicate with spirits.” However, the researchers note that they found no evidence of the presence of another plant alkaloid, which is another important ingredient in ayahuasca.
It is unclear whether his absence was intentional orwas just an accident. However, this means that the drugs given to the children did not cause hallucinations. They calmed them down, making the sacrifice process easier for the shamans.
The researchers note that the children had toknow what will happen to them weeks before death. The Incas chosen for the sacrifice came from all over the empire, which meant a long journey before the ritual. Using drugs could help bend them to your will. The researchers note that injecting victims with sedatives seemed to work—Spanish colonizers wrote of witnessing Inca sacrificial rituals in which victims appeared calm and ready to be executed.
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