Personal Sacrifice: Archaeologists have made a chilling discovery in Peru.

Two teenagers, sacrificed 1500 years ago in an Andean burial ritual, were found to be closely related to the adults buried alongside them, as revealed by a new genetic study. This discovery indicates that these sacrifices were linked to the deaths of family members, highlighting a ritual that has never before been documented by archaeologists, writes Live Science.

The study focuses on the Moche culture, which thrived on the northern coast of Peru from 300 to 950 AD. Known for their intricate ceremonies and human sacrifices to honor the gods, the Moche left behind numerous archaeological sites, although little evidence points to sacrificial practices involving close relatives.

According to co-author Lars Fehren-Schmitz, a geneticist from the University of California, Santa Cruz, this is the first genetic confirmation of familial connections between the victims and those buried. "No evidence suggested that close relatives or sibling teenagers were sacrificed, as we observed," explained Fehren-Schmitz.

These findings stem from a burial site at Huaca Cao Viejo, a pyramid structure in northern Peru, discovered in 2005. The tomb contains six individuals, including a high-ranking woman from the Moche people, referred to as Señora de Cao. Beside her were three men and two teenagers, a boy and a girl, who were strangled with ropes made from plant fibers.

Genetic analysis revealed that the girl was the niece of Señora de Cao, while the two men were likely her brothers. One of these men was identified as the father of the sacrificed girl. Meanwhile, the teenage boy, who was also strangled, turned out to be the son of one of Señora de Cao's brothers. This marks the first evidence of a son being sacrificed by a father in Moche burial traditions.

The contents of the tomb indicate a unique form of personal ritual sacrifice, distinct from the public rituals typically associated with the Moche. Fehren-Schmitz notes that strangulation may have been seen as a respectable way to honor high-status individuals. However, the exact reasons for sacrificing family members remain unclear. Jeffrey Quilter, an anthropologist from Harvard University, suggests that internal conflicts or political motives may have influenced these ceremonies.

Future research aims to determine whether familial sacrifices were a widespread tradition, as well as to explore the deeper social dynamics that shaped these rituals. This study not only enriches our understanding of Moche culture but also raises broader questions about the role of family and power in ancient Andean societies.

We have also reported on unique burial artifacts and gold ornaments discovered by archaeologists during excavations at the monument to the heroes.