The secrets of the "biggest sacrifice of children en masse" found in Peru

The bodies of 227 victims, aged 5 to 14, were found near the coastal town of Huanchaco, 570 km north of Lima.

As archaeologists told the AFP news agency, some bodies still had hair and skin the moment they were dug up.

Although the year of their deaths is not clear, experts believe that children were sacrificed more than 500 years ago.

This discovery comes just a year after the remains of 200 children who were victims of human sacrifice were found in two other sites in Peru.

Gods of Chimú

According to the survey, the bodies of children show signs of executions in wet weather and were buried facing the sea, which means that they were probably sacrificed to appease the gods of Chimú.

The Chimu resided along the northern coast of Peru and constituted one of the most powerful civilizations in the region. They achieved notoriety between 1200 and 1400 before being conquered by the Incas, who in turn were conquered by the Spaniards.

This civilization worshiped a moon god named Shi who, unlike the Incas, thought that he was more powerful than the sun. The faithful have regularly used sacrifices and other offerings in spiritual rituals.

Excavations of archaeologists continue at the place of burial en mbade, because, as they have pointed out, more and more bodies can still be discovered.

"It's uncontrollable, every time you dig, there is another body," Chief Archeologist Feren Castillo told AFP.

BBC