The parents of children ritually sacrificed in pre-contact Mexico may have been close relatives. like, real Close relatives. sounds like something game of Thrones (RIP Princess Shireen Baratheon) But DNA analysis shows that this happened at least once in pre-contact Mexican communities.
Located in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, Paquime is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich archaeological resources. Members of the Mogollon culture lived here for more than 700 years, but it was abandoned for unknown reasons in the mid-15th century.
Human remains found in cemeteries hint at Paquime’s hierarchy. Some skeletal remains were found in the lower level, surrounded by items such as tambourines and ceramics. Others at higher levels show signs of poor health and may even be partially cannibalized.
Among the bodies found in an elite area were those of a boy who was between two and five years old when he died. A 1974 study concluded that the position of the body indicated he was likely sacrificed during a ceremony for the new building.
Now, to learn more about Paquime’s social structure, a group of scientists decided to analyze the boy’s DNA. Research results published in the journal AntiquitiesJakob Sedig, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University who led the study, said in a press release that the researchers reported finding a large number of identical genes and alleles, meaning the child’s parents “are more likely to have similar genes and alleles than the parents.” Cousins are more closely related.”
“These results provide unique insights into the social hierarchy and socio-religious practices of Pakime,” he added. “The next step in this research is to continue analyzing the ancient DNA of individuals from Paquime and northern and western Mexico to help us understand how different groups moved and mixed over time.”
Anthropologists believe that the Well House, where the boy’s remains were found, was a burial ground reserved for the local elite. He was most likely the descendant of an upper-class brother and sister or other very close relatives. Because he was born to two members of an elite local family, their sacrifice “would have been a powerful way to dedicate the Well House and enhance social, political and ritual status,” the scientists wrote.
They add that the findings suggest that while taboos against incest are enforced against civilians, this may have been ignored by elites seeking to consolidate power (because Dragon House Observers, think Aegon and Helana). The practice of incest among elites shows that the pursuit of power sometimes overrides social norms.
