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August 28, 2019A team of Peruvian archaeologists has unearthed a mass grave that is believed to be the greatest child sacrifice in history. The bodies of 227 victims, aged between 5 and 14, were found near the coastal city of Huanchaco, north of the capital Lima.Children are believed to have been sacrificed over 500 years ago. The discovery comes just a year after 200 children who were victims of human sacrifice were found at two other sites in the South American country.
Archaeologists have reported that some of the bodies still had hair and skin. According to experts, the children were killed during the rainy season and buried in front of the sea, which means that they were probably sacrificed to appease the Chimú gods.
The Chimús resided along the northern coast of Peru and were one of the most powerful civilizations in the region. They reached the apogee between 1200 and 1400 before being conquered by the Incas, who were in turn conquered by the Spaniards. They worshiped a lunar god called Shi who, unlike the Incas, they believed was more powerful than the sun. Devotees regularly used human sacrifice and other offerings during spiritual rituals.
Excavation work continues at the mass burial site and archaeologists claim that more bodies could still be discovered. "It is uncontrollable, this thing with children - said the chief archaeologist Feren Castillo - wherever you dig, there is another body".