A recent study has revealed a previously unknown ritual sacrifice among the elite of the ancient Moche culture, which flourished between the 4th and 10th centuries along the northern coast of modern-day Peru. This discovery sheds light on the intricate social dynamics and religious practices of the civilization.
The research team analyzed several burials at the El Brujo archaeological site, specifically within a painted adobe temple known as Huaca Cao Viejo. The site is located in the Chicama Valley, where six individuals, believed to be members of the Moche elite, were interred around A.D. 500.
Three tombs contained adult males, one of whom exhibited signs of strangulation, a method associated with human sacrifice in Moche culture. The fourth tomb held the remains of an adult female, referred to as the Señora de Cao, adorned with over 20 layers of textiles and various grave goods, including gold jewelry and ceremonial weapons.
Notably, the study found that the six individuals were biologically related, spanning at least four generations. The juvenile female sacrificed alongside the Señora was likely her niece, and additional family members were interred nearby, including a sibling and a grandparent.
Isotopic analysis indicated that most individuals consumed a diet rich in maize and marine protein, suggesting they spent their formative years in the Chicama Valley. However, the juvenile female had a different diet, indicating she may have grown up elsewhere.
The findings support the notion that kinship was essential for maintaining political power within Moche society. The practice of sacrificing relatives to accompany elite members in death emphasizes the importance of ritual in reinforcing family ties and connecting the deceased to their ancestors and the divine, as noted by the researchers.