Why did hundreds of children and lamas become objects of sacrifice in the north of Peru?

The archaeological excavations that were carried out in Peru near the city of Trujillo from 2011 to 2016 were both shocking and interesting. Scientists were able to detect the burial of children and animals with an area of ​​about 700 square meters. And only 3 years after this “terrible” discovery, the scientists published their report. They revealed the true causes of the death of young Indians.

As previously assumed, the burial of 140 children and about 200 llamas was associated with the rites of sacrifice. Prior to this, the scientific community had not heard of such large-scale ritual murders. That is why the discovery in Peru so interested scientific minds. Previously, the absolute record for the number of children killed belonged to the city-state Tenochtitlan in Mexico. There were found 42 children's corpses.

According to experts, the sacrifice of children and llamas in Peru took place in the XV century, more precisely around 1450. In those days, the so-called Chimu culture flourished, which originated in the area of ​​the modern city of Trujillo in the 13th century and disappeared 50 years before the Spanish conquistadors arrived in this region of South America. The Indian state, called Chimor, was captured by the Incas, and its capital, the city of Chan Chan, fell into decay and was completely destroyed by the Spaniards.

The children's remains that could be found by archaeologists belonged to boys and girls 5-14 years old. It was not possible to find out exactly how they died. But the injuries on their skeletons suggest that they had their hearts removed during the sacrifice.

It was also important for scientists to find out the reason why priests used children in their rituals. Probably, this was done in order to appease the gods and end the disaster. Judging by the layer of dirt at the burial site of the victims, these were prolonged downpours that ruined the crop and caused serious flooding.