A study published Tuesday details a child sacrifice ritual in ancient Mexico that may have been the result of inbreeding.

The site of the sacrifice Pachime In a report examining the ruins of Casas Grandes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the northern state of Chihuahua, Mexico, the area was a “vibrant multicultural center” during the 13th and 14th centuries, researchers wrote. study Published in the journal Antiquities, the researchers say that while the exact social structure of the Paquimé people remains a matter of debate, new evidence suggests that they went to some pretty extreme measures to “solidify and legitimize their social status.”

The remains of the boy, who was between 2 and 5 years old at the time of his death, have long suggested ritual sacrifice, and new DNA analysis of the remains has revealed a significant number of identical genes and alleles — meaning his parents were “closer than first cousins,” study author Jacob Sedig said in a statement. Share By WION.

Read the original research at Antiquity 🆓
High levels of consanguinity in children from Paquimé, Chihuahua, Mexico – Jacob Sedig, Melades Snow, Michael Searcy, José Luis Punzo Díaz, Steven LeBlanc, Frank Ramos, Laurie Eccles, David Reichhttps://t.co/80XBgbIfYU
13/13 pic.twitter.com/4c37kGypQ6

— Antiquity Journal (@AntiquityJ) August 13, 2024

“These findings provide unique insights into Paquimé social hierarchy and socio-religious practices,” Sedig continued. “The next step in this research is to continue analyzing ancient DNA from Paquimé and people from northern and western Mexico to understand how different groups migrated and intermingled over time.” (Related: 13,000-year-old art hints at true pioneers of the Americas)

Because his remains were found in what is believed to be the burial site of a local magnate, the child is likely the product of inbreeding by a powerful individual. Scientists suggest that the sacrifice of two sons, who may have been noble, would have meant that his death would have had significant “social, political and ritual” significance.

Gary Todd, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

It turns out inbreeding and incest are far more common than most people think. Previous estimates had put the incidence of inbreeding and incest at around 1 in a million. But it turns out the real figure is closer to 1 in 7,000.