International audience ; Here we report the results of excavation and interdisciplinary study of the largest child and camelid sacrifice known from the New World. Stratigraphy, associated artifacts, and radiocarbon dating indicate that it was a single mass killing of more than 140 children and over 200 camelids directed by the Chimú state, c. AD 1450. Preliminary DNA analysis indicates that both boys and girls were chosen for sacrifice. Variability in forms of cranial modification (head shaping) and stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen suggest that the children were a heterogeneous sample drawn from multiple regions and ethnic groups throughout the Chimú state. The Huanchaquito-Las Llamas mass sacrifice opens a new window on a previously unknown sacrificial ritual from fifteenth century northern coastal Peru. While the motivation for such a massive sacrifice is a subject for further research, there is archaeological evidence that it was associated with a climatic event (heavy rainfall and flooding) that could have impacted the economic, political and ideological stability of one of the most powerful states in the New World during the fifteenth century A.D.
Here we report the results of excavation and interdisciplinary study of the largest child and camelid sacrifice known from the New World. Stratigraphy, associated artifacts, and radiocarbon dating indicate that it was a single mass killing of more than 140 children and over 200 camelids directed by the Chimú state, c. AD 1450. Preliminary DNA analysis indicates that both boys and girls were chosen for sacrifice. Variability in forms of cranial modification (head shaping) and stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen suggest that the children were a heterogeneous sample drawn from multiple regions and ethnic groups throughout the Chimú state. The Huanchaquito-Las Llamas mass sacrifice opens a new window on a previously unknown sacrificial ritual from fifteenth century northern coastal Peru. While the motivation for such a massive sacrifice is a subject for further research, there is archaeological evidence that it was associated with a climatic event (heavy rainfall and flooding) that could have impacted the economic, political and ideological stability of one of the most powerful states in the New World during the fifteenth century A.D.
There are many unanswered questions about the population history of the Central and South Central Andes, particularly regarding the impact of large-scale societies, such as the Moche, Wari, Tiwanaku, and Inca. We assembled genome-wide data on 89 individuals dating from ~9000-500 years ago (BP), with a particular focus on the period of the rise and fall of state societies. Today's genetic structure began to develop by 5800 BP, followed by bi-directional gene flow between the North and South Highlands, and between the Highlands and Coast. We detect minimal admixture among neighboring groups between ~2000-500 BP, although we do detect cosmopolitanism (people of diverse ancestries living side-by-side) in the heartlands of the Tiwanaku and Inca polities. We also reveal cases of long-range mobility connecting the Andes to Argentina, and the Northwest Andes to the Amazon Basin.
There are many unanswered questions about the population history of the Central and South Central Andes, particularly regarding the impact of large-scale societies, such as the Moche, Wari, Tiwanaku, and Inca. We assembled genome-wide data on 89 individuals dating from ∼9,000-500 years ago (BP), with a particular focus on the period of the rise and fall of state societies. Today's genetic structure began to develop by 5,800 BP, followed by bi-directional gene flow between the North and South Highlands, and between the Highlands and Coast. We detect minimal admixture among neighboring groups between ∼2,000–500 BP, although we do detect cosmopolitanism (people of diverse ancestries living side-by-side) in the heartlands of the Tiwanaku and Inca polities. We also highlight cases of long-range mobility connecting the Andes to Argentina and the Northwest Andes to the Amazon Basin. Video Abstract: [Figure presented] Genome-wide data from 89 ancient humans illuminates the changes to the genetic landscape in the Central Andes over 9,000 years, revealing large-scale gene flow and cosmopolitan societies in the Tiwanaku and Inca polities. ; Fil: Nakatsuka, Nathan. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Lazaridis, Iosif. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Barbieri, Chiara. Max Planck Institute For The Science Of Human History; Alemania ; Fil: Skoglund, Pontus. University Of Zurich; Suiza ; Fil: Rohland, Nadin. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Mallick, Swapan. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Posth, Cosimo. Max Planck Institute For The Science Of Human History; Alemania ; Fil: Harkins Kinkaid, Kelly. University of California; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Ferry, Matthew. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Harney, Éadaoin. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Michel, Megan. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Stewardson, Kristin. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Novak-Forst, Jannine. The Pennsylvania State University; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Capriles, José M. University of California; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Durruty, Marta Alfonso. Kansas State University; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Álvarez, Karina Aranda. Sociedad de Arqueología de la Paz; Bolivia ; Fil: Beresford-Jones, David. University of Cambridge; Reino Unido ; Fil: Burger, Richard. University of Yale; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Cadwallader, Lauren. University of Cambridge; Reino Unido ; Fil: Fujita, Ricardo. Universidad de San Martín de Porres; Perú ; Fil: Isla, Johny. No especifíca; ; Fil: Lau, George. University of East Anglia; Reino Unido ; Fil: Aguirre, Carlos Lémuz. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés; Bolivia ; Fil: LeBlanc, Steven. Harvard University; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Maldonado, Sergio Calla. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés; Bolivia ; Fil: Meddens, Frank. University of Reading; Reino Unido ; Fil: Messineo, Pablo Geronimo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina ; Fil: Culleton, Brendan J. State University of Pennsylvania; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Harper, Thomas K. State University of Pennsylvania; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Quilter, Jeffrey. Harvard University; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Politis, Gustavo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina ; Fil: Rademaker, Kurt. Michigan State University; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Reindel, Markus. State University of Pennsylvania; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Rivera, Mario. Michigan State University; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Salazar, Lucy. University of Cambridge; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Sandoval, José R. Universidad de San Martín de Porres; Perú ; Fil: Santoro, Calogero M. Universidad de Tarapacá; Chile ; Fil: Scheifler, Nahuel Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina ; Fil: Standen, Vivien. Universidad de Tarapacá; Chile ; Fil: Barreto, Maria Ines. Museo de Sitio Huaca Pucllana; Perú ; Fil: Flores Espinoza, Isabel. Museo de Sitio Huaca Pucllana; Perú ; Fil: Tomasto Cagigao, Elsa. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú; Perú ; Fil: Valverde, Guido. University of Adelaide; Australia ; Fil: Kennett, Douglas J. State University of Pennsylvania; Estados Unidos. University of California; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Cooper, Alan. University of Adelaide; Australia ; Fil: Krause, Johannes. Max Planck Institute For The Science Of Human History; Alemania ; Fil: Haak, Wolfgang. Max Planck Institute For The Science Of Human History; Alemania ; Fil: Llamas, Bastien. University of Adelaide; Australia ; Fil: Reich, David. Harvard University; Estados Unidos. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Fehren Schmitz, Lars. University of California; Estados Unidos
There are many unanswered questions about the population history of the Central and South Central Andes, particularly regarding the impact of large-scale societies, such as the Moche, Wari, Tiwanaku, and Inca. We assembled genome-wide data on 89 individuals dating from ∼9,000-500 years ago (BP), with a particular focus on the period of the rise and fall of state societies. Today's genetic structure began to develop by 5,800 BP, followed by bi-directional gene flow between the North and South Highlands, and between the Highlands and Coast. We detect minimal admixture among neighboring groups between ∼2,000–500 BP, although we do detect cosmopolitanism (people of diverse ancestries living side-by-side) in the heartlands of the Tiwanaku and Inca polities. We also highlight cases of long-range mobility connecting the Andes to Argentina and the Northwest Andes to the Amazon Basin. VIDEO ABSTRACT:
There are many unanswered questions about the population history of the Central and South Central Andes, particularly regarding the impact of large-scale societies, such as the Moche, Wari, Tiwanaku, and Inca. We assembled genome-wide data on 89 individuals dating from ∼9,000-500 years ago (BP), with a particular focus on the period of the rise and fall of state societies. Today's genetic structure began to develop by 5,800 BP, followed by bi-directional gene flow between the North and South Highlands, and between the Highlands and Coast. We detect minimal admixture among neighboring groups between ∼2,000-500 BP, although we do detect cosmopolitanism (people of diverse ancestries living side-by-side) in the heartlands of the Tiwanaku and Inca polities. We also highlight cases of long-range mobility connecting the Andes to Argentina and the Northwest Andes to the Amazon Basin. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
