– long-tailed
– DNA analysis
– Sacrificed by Mayans
– Hero Twins Myth.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A recent study has shed light on the dark practice of human sacrifice in the ancient Mayan empire. The study, published in the scientific journal Nature, revealed that human remains found at a mass burial site in Chichén Itzá, Mexico, were identified as boys between the ages of 3 and 6.
Researchers and paleogeneticists analyzed genomes from the remains of dozens of children at the burial site near the Sacred Cenote, a ceremonial site at a water-filled sinkhole in Chichén Itzá. The findings indicated that the victims were closely related or young boys, with four of them identified as two sets of identical twins.
The study linked the findings to the Hero Twins myth from the sacred Mayan text, the Popol Vuh. This myth recounts the sacrifice of a pair of twins who later become known as the Hero Twins, seeking revenge on the gods through cycles of sacrifice and resurrection.
Contrary to popular belief, the study refutes the theory that women and girls were sacrificed more frequently at the burial sites. Instead, it suggests that young boys, especially twins, were chosen for sacrificial rituals in the ancient Mayan culture.
Significance of the Burial Site
The mass burial site near the Sacred Cenote in Chichén Itzá was first discovered between April and June of 1967 during the construction of a new airport runway. The remains of over 100 children were recovered from a cistern close to the cenote, indicating a long history of sacrificial practices.
Researchers used radiocarbon dating to determine that the children died over a period of 500 years until the middle of the 12th century. The location of the remains in a cistern aligns with the belief that subterranean structures were considered entrances to the underworld in ancient Mayan culture.
Further analysis of the remains revealed that a quarter of the children tested had close biological relatives in the cistern, suggesting a deliberate selection based on kinship. The children who were sacrificed together were of similar ages and had consumed similar diets, indicating a shared ritualistic sacrifice.
Complexity of Mayan Rituals
Lead author Rodrigo Barquera emphasized that Mayan rituals were far more intricate than mere offerings to the gods for favors or forgiveness. The sacrificial practices, especially involving young boys and twins, were deeply rooted in Mayan mythology and beliefs.
Modern-day residents of Tixcacaltuyub, a town near the ancient site, were found to be genetically related to the sacrificed children, highlighting the lasting impact of these ancient rituals on local populations.
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Source: People
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– Twins Young Boys Sacrificed Mayans DNA Analysis Reveals Part Hero Twins Myth
– Sacrificed Mayans DNA Analysis Reveals Part Hero Twins Myth.
