Despite sacrificing people after catastrophic El Niño flooding, ancient societies were generally peaceful
To understand how societies might react to climate change, archaeologists look at social responses to extreme climate events in the past—and in some places, that included measures as drastic as human sacrifice. Mass ritual sacrifices along the desert coast of northern Peru have been linked to catastrophic flooding caused by El Niño, which made researchers wonder if such sacrifices were part of a…
A new study examining archaeological evidence from the Lambayeque Valley in Peru reveals that ancient societies were generally peaceful, even during periods of ecological upheaval caused by climate change. Despite the sacrifice of people following catastrophic El Niño flooding, the research found that interpersonal violence was extremely rare.
Dr. Thomas Snyder of New York University and Dr. Haagen Klaus of George Mason University, co-authors of the study, observed that violence was not a predetermined response to climate change, but rather a choice that societies can make. The findings highlight the resilience and adaptability of ancient civilizations, as well as the importance of considering historical context when addressing contemporary environmental crises.
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