Ancient Mexican Child Sacrifices Connected to Elite's Inbreeding Patterns
In the murky veils of ancient Mexico, a chilling tale unravels like a sickly sweet game of thrones. A child, no older than five, was brutally sacrificed in a prehistoric ritual, and recent DNA analysis suggests this unspeakable act was committed by family members closer than your typical Baratheons.
Nestled in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Paquimé, is a treasure trove of archaeological wonders. Home to the Mogollon culture for around 700 years, this abandoned settlement has finally relinquished some of its secrets, albeit in a way that would make the Iron Throne blush.
Exploring the depths of Paquimé's history, archaeologists stumbled upon skeletal remains in various burial sites. Lower layers housed individuals surrounded by commonplace items such as hand drums and ceramics, while the upper layers sported signs of ill health, hinting at partial cannibalism.
One particularly horrifying discovery was made in an elite area, where the remains of the child rested. This two-to-five-year-old victim was likely offered up as a grotesque sacrifice in a ritual to consecrate a new building.
To dive deeper into Paquimé's society, a team of scientists decided to analyze the boy's DNA. In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Antiquities, they found a striking number of identical genes and alleles, meaning the child had parents "who were more closely related than first cousins."
"These results provide a shocking insight into social hierarchy and socio-religious practices at Paquimé," said Jakob Sedig, the postdoctoral fellow at Harvard who led the study. "The next steps in this research are to continue analyzing the ancient DNA of individuals from Paquimé and other regions to help us understand the complex web of power dynamics and societal norms."
Experts suspect the House of the Well, where the boy's remains resided, was an exclusive burial ground for the local elite. His lineage likely traced back to an upper-class pair of siblings or other dangerously close relatives. Since he was born to two members of a local elite family, his grisly sacrifice was "a powerful wench to consecrate the House of the Well and enhance social, political, and ritual standing," as the scientists opined.
They further speculated that the taboos against incest, while strictly enforced for the common folk, may have been overlooked for elites craving power. This repugnant practice among the elites demonstrates how power-hungry ambitions could disregard societal norms. So, grab a toast and a few drops of Wildfire, because things in Paquimé were darker than Melisandre's magic.
- The study published in the journal Antiquities revealed that the child's DNA showed a shocking number of identical genes and alleles, suggesting parents who were more closely related than first cousins.
- Experts suspect the House of the Well, where the child's remains were found, was an exclusive burial ground for the local elite, with lineage likely tracing back to an upper-class pair of siblings or other dangerously close relatives.
- The scientists speculate that the taboos against incest, while strictly enforced for the common folk, may have been overlooked for elites craving power in Paquimé.
- The grotesque child sacrifice at Paquimé, followed by the discovery of the child's DNA results, highlights a future of technology and science in the field of archaeology, shedding light on the complex power dynamics and societal norms of ancient civilizations.
