News Anthropology

Mummified llamas yield new insights into Inca ritual sacrifices

The animals were bound, decorated and probably buried alive

Mummified llama head from Inca sacrifices

Naturally mummified llamas decorated with colored string, including this one, were sacrificed by the Inca more than 500 years ago as part of a ritual event, scientists say.

L.M. Valdez

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Mummified llamas stashed at a more than 500-year-old site on Peru’s southern coast offer the first direct glimpse of Inca ritual sacrifices of these animals.