Panamanian archaeologists uncovered a 1,200-year-old tomb in the Coclé Province filled with golden treasures and victims of human sacrifice, including circular gold plates, gold belts, and various jewelry items. The tomb, dedicated to a chief who died in his 30s, also contained the bodies of other individuals believed to have accompanied him to the afterlife. This discovery is significant due to its unique multiple and simultaneous burials, shedding light on ancient Panamanian burial practices.
Researchers have reconstructed the life history of Vittrup Man, a forager-turned-farmer who lived over 5,000 years ago in what is now Denmark, by analyzing isotopes in his teeth. They found that he was from coastal Scandinavia, moved to Denmark later in life, and was likely killed in an act of ritual violence. His diet and genetic ancestry were also revealed, shedding light on his life story. The findings provide unprecedented detail about a person from such a distant past and may help understand similar preserved remains.
Scientists have created a 3D reconstruction of the face of a teenage girl known as the "Ice Maiden" or Juanita, who was sacrificed and buried near the summit of Ampato in the Andes Mountains 500 years ago. The reconstruction is part of an exhibition at the Andean Sanctuaries Museum in Peru, which aims to restore the identity of mummies and showcase the latest research on Incan rituals and mummies. The Inca Empire practiced human sacrifices to appease deities and protect the community, with children and young women chosen for the rituals. The discovery of Juanita's well-preserved remains in 1995 has provided valuable insights into Inca culture and rituals.
Archaeologists in Peru have discovered the mummy of a teenager who lived more than 1,000 years ago in an underground tomb near Lima. The mummy was found wrapped in a funerary bundle, along with ancient ceramics and rope. The discovery was made at a burial site known to house the remains of victims of human sacrifice from pre-Inca times. The mummified teen is believed to have lived between 1,100 and 1,200 years ago and possibly belonged to the Lima or Ichma cultures. The Cajamarquilla complex, where the discovery was made, was a busy trading hub in pre-Inca times and features the ruins of four pyramids and walls laid out like a maze.
Five men, including a revered priest, have been arrested in connection with a suspected human sacrifice at the Kamakhya Temple in India in 2019. The decapitated remains of a woman were found after she visited the temple during the Hindu Ambubachi Mela. The priest confessed that the woman was killed during a worship ceremony at the temple, and each of the 12 participants in the ceremony were paid 10,000 rupees. At least 10 suspects, including two priests, are still wanted for their participation in the killing.
The San Jose Sharks faced criticism after promoting gender norms in non-Western cultures on Twitter, including one ancient culture that participated in human sacrifice. The team's tweet threads drew backlash and questions on social media, with some critics calling it "ultra-weird" and "fanatical." The Sharks hosted a "Pride Night" and shared information about LGBTQIA+ topics throughout the night.
