DNA Analysis Reveals New Facts about Child Sacrifice in the Maya Tribe

LIMA – DNA analysis on skeletal remains from the Mayan glory period in Mexico have revealed surprising facts about child sacrifice rituals.

In contrast to the general opinion that has been circulating, this research shows that most victims of sacrifice are boys, not girls.

The findings are based on analysis of ancient DNA from 64 individuals found inside the chultún, an underground chamber used for Maya rituals.

The results showed that these victims were closely related, with some of them even being pairs of identical twins.

This fact contradicts long-held perceptions that depict Maya child sacrifice as a ritual involving young girls.

This discovery provides new insight into the practice of child sacrifice at Chichén Itzá, an ancient city located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

“The similarity in age and diet of the boys, their close genetic relationship, and the fact that they were buried in the same place for more than 200 years suggest that this chultún served as a post-sacrificial burial site,” explains Oana Del Castillo-Chávez , an archaeologist from Centro INAH Yucatán as reported by Science Alert.

“It appears that these sacrificed individuals were carefully selected for a particular ritual.”

Excavations of the chultún in 1967 first revealed the existence of these underground chambers and the terrifying secrets they contained.