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Maya sacrifice of twin boys revealed by DNA from Chichen Itza

Identical twins and close relatives found in a mass burial of male children hint at sacrificial selection based on biological kinship.
The entombed boys, some being brothers and identical twins, were likely sacrificed in Maya religious rituals, reflecting the importance of twins in Maya mythology.
Identifying identical twins in the archaeological record for the first time sheds new light on ancient Maya practices.

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The Conversation

The secrets of Maya child sacrifice at Chichén Itzá uncovered using ancient DNA

El Castillo at Chichén Itzá. Rodrigo BarqueraAfter analysing the remains of 64 ancient sacrificed individuals, most of whom were children, researchers have revealed new details about human sacrifice at the ancient Maya site of Chichén Itzá. Published today in Nature, these results show that contrary to popular belief, every one of the ritually sacrificed individuals was male. Additionally, many of them were closely related, including two pairs o…

9 months ago

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CBS News

DNA reveals ritual of sacrificing boys, including twins, in ancient Mayan city, scientists say

In-depth genetic testing of dozens of human remains found a ritual of sacrificing related male children in the Mayan city of Chichén Itzá.

9 months ago

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Ars Technica

Ancient Maya DNA shows male kids were sacrificed in pairs at Chichén Itzá

Twins play an auspicious role in Maya mythology, most notably in the Popol Vuh.

9 months ago·United States

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El Pais

DNA uncovers the mystery of the children sacrificed by the Mayans in Chichén Itzá

In 1967, workers building an airstrip near the mythical Mayan city of Chichén Itzá in Yucatán (Mexico) discovered a subway cavity full of human bones. The remains were collected, the cave was destroyed, and since then the find has been one of the greatest enigmas surrounding the Mayan culture. The young age of the more than 100 deceased made it impossible to know whether they were boys or girls, to the frustration of researchers trying to unders…

9 months ago·Spain

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IFLScience

Over 60 Sacrificed Ancient Mayan Boys – Including Twins – Found At Chichén Itzá

Because two heads are better than one.

9 months ago

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9News

How the ancient Mayans chose their human sacrifices

New research suggests that far from indiscriminate slaughter, human sacrifice in ancient Central America involved the careful selection of victims based on gender, age, and even family.The ancient city of Chichén Itzá in Yucatán, Mexico, became a dominant Mayan settlement from about 800CE to 1000CE.Evidence of ritual sacrifices is abundant throughout the site, including the Sacred Cenote, a large sinkhole containing the remains of more than 200…

9 months ago·Australia

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