Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Researchers have analysed the remains of 64 ancient sacrificed individuals at Chichén Itzá, revealing that all were male, contrary to previous beliefs that females were also sacrificed.
The study, published in Nature, identified that many of the sacrificed individuals were closely related, including two pairs of identical twins, highlighting themes in Maya mythology.
Chichén Itzá was a significant Maya city from around 250 CE to 1697 CE. The site includes El Castillo and the Sacred Cenote, known for artifacts and human remains.
During the construction of an airport runway in 1967, a chultún, or human-made cistern, was found, containing skeletal remains, animal bones, and ceramic objects.
The remains date back to between 600 CE and 1100 CE, suggesting the sacrifices spanned a 500-year period, potentially linked to agricultural cycles or offerings to the rain deity Chaac.
Contrary to Spanish accounts and prior analyses, the genetic results showed that all sacrificed individuals in the chultún were male, many between 3 to 6 years old.
The presence of two pairs of identical twins among the sacrificed is notable, given the rarity of twins and their importance in Maya mythology, such as in the Popol Vuh.
DNA comparisons between ancient remains and 68 present-day Maya people show a strong genetic continuity, despite changes brought by European colonialism.
Modern Maya individuals show genetic adaptations for disease resistance, particularly to diseases introduced during the colonial period, indicating a genetic legacy of overcoming past epidemics.