francene--blog. Year 2013
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July 30th

7/30/2013

 
Five hundred years ago, the Incas gave a beautiful virgin, frozen in time, elite status during the year before her death.

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Tests on three child mummies found in Argentina have shed new light on the Inca practice of child sacrifice. Scientists have revealed that drugs and alcohol played a key part in the months and weeks leading up to the children's deaths.

Dr Emma Brown, from the department of archaeological sciences at the University of Bradford, said: "The Spanish chroniclers suggest that children were sacrificed for all kinds of reasons: important life milestones in the lives of the Incas, in times of war or natural disasters, but there was a calendar of rituals too."

The mummified remains were discovered in 1999, entombed in a shrine near the summit of the 6,739m-high Llullaillaco volcano in Argentina. Three children were buried in the mountain is over 6,000m above sea level: a 13-year-old girl, and a younger boy and girl, thought to be about four or five years old.


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"They've been called the best preserved mummies in the world," Dr Emma Brown University of Bradford said.  ""These three children look like they are asleep."

Their remains date to about 500 years ago, during the time of the Inca Empire, which dominated South America until the Europeans arrived at the end of the 15th Century.

The international team of researchers used forensic tests to analyze the chemicals found in the children's hair. They discovered that all three had consumed alcohol and coca leaves in the final months of their lives. Historical records reveal that these substances were reserved for the elite and often used in Incan rituals.

Tests on the girl's long braids revealed that her coca consumption increased sharply a year before her death. The scientists believe this corresponds to the time she was selected for sacrifice. Earlier research also reveals that her diet changed at this point too, from a potato-based peasant diet to one rich in meat and maize. The girl, known as the Llullaillaco maiden, was probably considered more highly valued than the younger children, because of her virginal status.  The results also revealed that the girl ingested large amounts of alcohol in the last few weeks of her life.

It suggests she was heavily sedated before she and the other children were taken to the volcano, placed in their tombs and left to die. Dr. Brown said, "With the combination of being placed in the grave with the alcohol and the cold... she would have passed away quietly. There is no sign of violence. She is incredibly well looked after: she has a good layer of fat, she has beautifully groomed hair, beautiful clothes."

The mummies are now housed in the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology in Salta, Argentina.

At least the children didn't suffer undue cruelty, torture or rape. No matter what I think about other cultures and the practices of former civilizations, at least the findings set my mind at ease.


Georgia London link
7/29/2013 07:56:25 pm

So sad. It is some solace that they may have died without pain. I always imagined if it was my child chosen, I would have taken her or him and ran for the jungle. It's beyond my understanding how a practice like this could have developed. Amazing photo of remains. On a happier note, Congratulations on your published books! That's wonderful! A big success! It takes a lot of courage, hard work and faith to write a book. You have all three!

Francene Stanley link
7/29/2013 10:30:36 pm

These ancients must have believed in their religion and followed it blindly. Just reminds us to think about everything we do. Thanks for your good wishes.

Lisa Mallis link
7/29/2013 09:14:06 pm

WOW! This is what I love about the UBC . . . the exposure to new ideas and cultures. Thank you for sharing the finding, and the story.

Lisa

Francene Stanley link
7/29/2013 10:31:53 pm

Bloggers are as diverse as our world. I agree that it's great to see things from a new perspective.

Amy link
7/29/2013 09:32:40 pm

This is fascinating, Francene, and sad. And weird. And touching, I guess, in a way. I read about awful traditions like child sacrifice, and I think about awful things that happen to children today,and I wonder that God hasn't come back to end the world by now.

Francene Stanley link
7/29/2013 10:28:49 pm

As you often remind me, Amy, everything is not under our control. We must believe that things are working out as planned.

Francene Stanley link
7/30/2013 03:25:44 am

So sad though. Bad things shouldn't happen to children.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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