The parents of a child ritually sacrificed in pre-contact Mexico were likely close relatives.
Like,reallyclose relatives.
Paquime is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mexican state of Chihuahua thats known for its archaeological riches.
DNA analysis of a child’s remains found in Mexico’s Paquimé indicate some complicated elite family dynamics.© Jakob Sedig
Human remains found in burial sites hint at Paquimes hierarchy.
Some skeletal remains were found in lower layers, surrounded by goods such as hand drums and ceramics.
These results provide unique insight into social hierarchy and socio-religious practices at Paquime, he added.
He was likely the offspring of an upper-class pair of siblings or other very close relatives.
This practice of close-kin unions among elites shows how the pursuit of power could sometimes override societal norms.
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