Traditions of the Incas

In 1999, a joint Argentine-Peruvian expedition to climb Mount llullaillaco, located on the border of Chile and Argentina, made a startling discovery. At an altitude of over 6000 meters, researchers found the tomb, where lie the bodies of three children: one boy and two girls. It seemed as if the children were asleep, sitting in uncomfortable and cold cave.
Subsequent analysis showed that the cave was used by representatives of the Inca civilization, and the age of the found bodies of more than 500 years. The publication in the journal PNAS large group of professionals from Europe and America presents the first results of the examination of the remains.
The death of the boy and girls 4-5 years old and another girl of 13 years came, apparently, not as a result of violence, and hypothermia. Experts are of the opinion that children are the victim of a special ritual of memory, which the Spanish chroniclers wrote.
According to Dr. Brown, Emma (Emma Brown) from the University of Bradford, the practice of bringing children as a sacrifice was widespread among the Incas and used in different cases, such as for the perpetuation of important events in the life of the people, in the case of military victories or disasters. In addition, there was even a special calendar of such rituals.
In this context, of particular interest is the body of the older girls, which is likely, is the central figure in the ritual. Chemical analysis of her hair from root to tip allowed to make some impression on changes in her diet and lifestyle over the last two years of life.
So, it turned out that for the year before his death, "Lyulyaylyakskaya virgin," as it was christened specialists is much better to eat. If initially prevailed in her diet potatoes, then later became the main meal of meat and corn.
In addition, the girl consume large amounts of alcohol and coca leaves. Peak consumption of coca fell on time for six months before his death, and in the last 6 weeks of life in her diet has dramatically increased the amount of alcohol. It is noteworthy that other children do not show traces of the use of coca or alcoholic beverages.
The findings, say researchers, shed light on the rituals of the Incas and allow a more complete picture of their society. The current study is not finished bodies. Next, the researchers set out to find out how to change the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that may help to determine what the state of children before his death.