Stable isotope and DNA evidence for ritual sequences in Inca child sacrifice

Four recently discovered frozen child mummies from two of the highest peaks in the south central Andes now yield tantalizing evidence of the preparatory stages leading to Inca ritual killing as represented by the unique capacocha rite. Our interdisciplinary study examined hair from the mummies to ob...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Wilson, Andrew, Tymothy Taylor, Ceruti, Maria Constanza, Chávez, José Antonio, Reinhard, Johan, Grimes, Vaughan, Meier-Augenstein, Wolfram, Cartmell, Larry, Stern, Ben, Richards, Michael, Worobey, Michael, Barnes, Ian, Gilbert, Thomas
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2007
País:Argentina
Institución:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repositorio:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/78940
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/78940
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:ANCIENT DNA
BIOARCHAEOLOGY
ICE MUMMIES
SOUTH AMERICA
STABLE LIGHT ISOTOPES
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/5.4
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/5
Descripción
Sumario:Four recently discovered frozen child mummies from two of the highest peaks in the south central Andes now yield tantalizing evidence of the preparatory stages leading to Inca ritual killing as represented by the unique capacocha rite. Our interdisciplinary study examined hair from the mummies to obtain detailed genetic and diachronic isotopic information. This approach has allowed us to reconstruct aspects of individual identity and diet, make inferences concerning social background, and gain insight on the hitherto unknown processes by which victims were selected, elevated in social status, prepared for a high-altitude pilgrimage, and killed. Such direct information amplifies, yet also partly contrasts with, Spanish historical accounts. © 2007 by The National Academy of Sciences of the USA.