Study Reveals Maya Sacrificed Boys, Aged 3-11, at Chichén Itzá in Mexico

Jun 12, 2024, 06:56 PM

A recent study published in Nature has revealed that the ancient Maya civilization at Chichén Itzá in Mexico practiced ritual human sacrifices predominantly involving young boys, aged 3-11. Analysis of ancient DNA from 64 individuals, including twins, found in an underground chamber shows that these sacrifices were conducted over a period of 500 years. The study indicates that many of the sacrificed children were closely related, suggesting that communities linked these rituals with agricultural outcomes such as crop yields and rainfall. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that the Maya primarily sacrificed young females. The findings provide new insights into the religious practices and societal structures of the ancient Maya, as well as their genetic continuity with modern descendants.