Inca children were drugged before being sacrificed

Researchers have uncovered evidence that children chosen for Inca sacrificial rituals were given psychedelic and intoxicating substances. This finding challenges the assumption that such ceremonies were always frightening or traumatic for the young victims. The Inca empire spanned thousands of miles along South America’s western coast from the late 13th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.

The Inca practice of capacocha involved sacrificing children and young women to appease mountain gods and ensure prosperity. According to Spanish friar Martín de Murúa, capacocha was meant to prevent famine, lack of food, drought, disease, and rebellion. Eight well-preserved mummified children, aged between 6 and 14, were discovered at sites in Peru, Argentina, and Chile.

Toxicological tests revealed cocaine in all hair samples, alongside evidence of alcohol and coca leaf chewing in half of the individuals. The researchers also found harmine, a hallucinogenic compound in ayahuasca, in one nail sample. Each child had a unique chemical signature in their hair and nails, suggesting individualized preparations tailored to specific deities.

The findings indicate capacocha was a complex process involving extensive preparations, long journeys, and various ritual practices. However, the emotional experience of the children remains unclear, as researchers cannot reconstruct their feelings or assess the trauma they endured.