Inca Child Mummies Reveal Ancient Use of Ayahuasca and Coca in Ritual Sacrifices

New scientific analysis of Inca mummies, including the famous Llullaillaco children, has uncovered traces of psychoactive substances such as ayahuasca, coca, and alcohol. The findings, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, suggest these drugs were used to calm and prepare child sacrificial victims in rituals known as capacocha. Researchers from institutions in Argentina, Spain, and Poland examined hair samples from mummies dating back over 500 years, revealing a complex ritual involving coca leaves and ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew. The study indicates that the children consumed coca and alcohol over a long period, while ayahuasca was administered shortly before death, likely to induce a trance-like state. This research provides a rare glimpse into the ceremonial practices of the Inca Empire, highlighting the role of psychoactive plants in religious and political ceremonies. The evidence underscores the importance of these substances in Inca society, not just for elites but also for sacrificial victims, as part of a strategy to ensure compliance and spiritual transcendence. The study opens new avenues for understanding ancient drug use in ritual contexts across the Andes.