The remains of up to 250 children have been unearthed by archaeologists in Peru, the largest discovery of its type.
The children were aged between four and 14 and appeared to have been killed as part of a ritual sacrifice to appease gods of the pre-Columbian Chimu society. The corpses of 40 ancient warriors were also found at the dig site, located near the beachside tourist town of Huanchaco.
“This is the biggest site where the remains of sacrificed children have been found,” chief archaeologist Feren Castillo told AFP.
“It’s uncontrollable, this thing with the children. Wherever you dig, there’s another one,” he added.
Archeologists have discovered the remains of 227 children allegedly offered in ritual sacrifice by the pre-Columbian Chimu culture. Found in the Pampa La Cruz sector of Huanchaco, it is the biggest-ever discovery of child sacrifice in the world. #WorldNews pic.twitter.com/kNFugC7sum
— CCTV (@CCTV) August 29, 2019
The sacrifices are believed to have taken place sometime between the 13th and 15th Centuries. According to scientists, the children were killed during wet weather and were buried in a position that faced the sea.
The details led experts to believe their deaths were carried out in relation to the “El Niño” weather pattern. The El Niño periodically occurs and warms part of the Pacific Ocean, contributing to global changes in weather.
“They were sacrificed to appease the El Niño phenomenon,” Castillo explained.
The first bodies of children were discovered at the site in June of last year and archaeologists have been digging since.
