title: Stable isotope and DNA evidence for ritual sequences in Inca child sacrifice.
abstract: Four recently discovered frozen child mummies from two of the highest peaks in the south central Andes now yield tantalizing evidence of the preparatory stages leading to Inca ritual killing as represented by the unique capacocha rite. Our interdisciplinary study examined hair from the mummies to obtain detailed genetic and diachronic isotopic information. This approach has allowed us to reconstruct aspects of individual identity and diet, make inferences concerning social background, and gain insight on the hitherto unknown processes by which victims were selected, elevated in social status, prepared for a high-altitude pilgrimage, and killed. Such direct information amplifies, yet also partly contrasts with, Spanish historical accounts.
authors.affiliation: Archaeological Sciences School of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, United Kingdom. a.s.wilson2@bradford.ac.uk
authors.forename: Andrew S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Maria Constanza
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ceruti
authors.forename: Jose Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Chavez
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reinhard
authors.forename: Vaughan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grimes
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meier-Augenstein
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cartmell
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Worobey
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: M Thomas P
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001118:Argentina / Q000208:ethnology; D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D002648:Child; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D049690:History, Ancient; D006708:Homicide / Q000266:history*; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American / Q000266:history*; D007554:Isotopes; D008297:Male; D009106:Mummies; D010568:Peru / Q000208:ethnology
chemical_list: D007554:Isotopes; D004247:DNA