ICYMI: Ritualistic Incan Sacrifices And What New Discoveries Are Telling Us About Them

Beyond The Horizon

Incan ritual sacrifice was a significant aspect of their religious beliefs and practices. The Inca civilization, which flourished in the Andean region of South America from the early 15th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, had a complex understanding of the spiritual world and the role of sacrifice within it.
The Incas believed in the existence of powerful deities who controlled various aspects of nature, fertility, and human affairs. To maintain harmony and balance with these deities, they performed ritual sacrifices, which were considered essential for ensuring the well-being of their society.
One of the most well-known forms of Incan sacrifice involved offering human lives to the gods. These sacrifices were typically conducted during important religious ceremonies and festivals, such as Inti Raymi (the Festival of the Sun) or Capacocha (a ritual of sacrifice and burial). The individuals chosen for sacrifice were often children, adolescents, or young women, although adult sacrifices also occurred on occasion.
The selection process for sacrifice victims was rigorous and highly symbolic. Children were often chosen from noble or elite families, as their status was believed to enhance the efficacy of the sacrifice. These individuals were considered pure and sacred, and their sacrifice was viewed as a supreme act of devotion and honor.
Incan sacrificial rituals were carried out with great solemnity and precision. The chosen individuals were adorned in fine garments and given ceremonial objects before being led to the site of sacrifice, typically a mountaintop or sacred location. There, they were often drugged or intoxicated to induce a state of trance or unconsciousness before the ritual took place.
The methods of sacrifice varied but often involved methods such as strangulation, blunt force trauma, or exposure to the elements. In some cases, victims were left to die of exposure or starvation, particularly in high-altitude locations where the air was thin and temperatures were extreme.
The reasons for these sacrifices were multifaceted. Firstly, they were seen as offerings to appease the gods and ensure their continued favor and protection over the Incan people. Sacrifices were also believed to ensure fertility, abundance, and prosperity for the community, as well as to ward off natural disasters and other calamities.
Additionally, sacrifices played a crucial role in maintaining social order and reinforcing the authority of the ruling elite. By offering up members of their own society as sacrifices, the Incan rulers demonstrated their power and authority while also reinforcing the social hierarchy and the divine mandate of their leadership.
In this episode, we hear what new discoveries are telling us about the Incan's and their culture.
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source:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/inca-children-chosen-for-sacrifice-were-given-hallucinogenic-drugs-for-a-simple-reason/ar-AAXxqz6?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=21f40d5384e947b9d6a20ece144dee5f