A disturbing burial of a pregnant woman, sacrificed to an unknown deity, found in Ecuador

Recently, researchers have discovered a disturbing burial of a pregnant woman in Ecuador dating back to about 1,200 years ago. Experts say she was sacrificed to an unknown deity.

The analysis of her remains shows that she had a tough fate, as she was beaten and dismembered. Archaeologists emphasize that this discovery not only highlights the complexity of ancient funeral practices, but also raises concerns about the circumstances of the death of the expectant mother, Arkeonews reports.

According to scientists, the contents of the found grave, which include the skull of another person and the burning of the victim, indicate a ritual component. This prompts archaeologists to suggest that the woman could have been sacrificed to appease an unknown deity.

In the study, lead author Sara Juegas, a bioarchaeologist at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and her team analyzed a mysterious burial site dating from the Manteño period (650-1532 AD).

According to historians, the Manteño civilization, known for its complex chieftaincy along the Pacific coast of Ecuador, thrived on a combination of agriculture and fishing.

Although not a direct descendant of the Inca Empire, the two interacted, which influenced their cultural practices and beliefs. This study sheds light on the complexity of Manteño society and the rituals that may have accompanied life and death during this period, experts say.

Archaeologists have found a total of six ancient burials at the site, but the grave of a pregnant woman was particularly exceptional. Experts estimate that she was between 17 and 20 years old and approximately seven to nine months pregnant at the time of her death.

Radiocarbon dating suggests that she died around 800. An examination of her skull, in turn, revealed signs of blunt force trauma, indicating that she may have died from a severe blow to the head. Shortly thereafter, further violence occurred, the researchers say.

Through careful analysis of the skeletal remains, Sara and her team reconstructed the sequence of events that led to the woman's tragic death. "First, Burial 10 [the young pregnant woman] received a blow to the head (intentional or accidental) and died. Before burial but around the time of death, her hands and left leg were removed. She was then buried in an earthen pit with a mix of Manteño and earlier offerings," the researchers described in detail.

This horrific account not only highlights the violence surrounding her death, but also raises questions about the cultural practices and beliefs of the Manteño people, the scientists say.

According to historical records, human sacrifice was a rare occurrence among the ancient coastal population of Ecuador. However, the unique artifacts found in the burial of a pregnant woman suggest that this could indeed be a form of sacrifice.

The researchers note that the pregnant woman's grave contained a set of valuable objects, including shells placed over the woman's eye sockets, crescent-shaped jewelry made from the shells of the Spondylus mollusk, three obsidian blades placed around her body, and a crab claw placed on her stomach.

Interestingly, some of the shells were 2,000 years older than the burial itself, indicating their importance. This unusual combination of offerings adds to the burial's peculiarity, says Sara.

Another intriguing fact is that the skull of another person aged 25 to 35 years was burned next to the female remains. Radiocarbon dating indicates that it was placed in the grave between 991 and 1025 AD, meaning that the skull was placed in the grave of the pregnant woman one or more centuries after her death.

This further deepens the mystery surrounding this ancient site, experts say.

Researchers speculate that the pregnant woman was sacrificed because of her fertility, which was supposed to bring it to the entire region.

They also noted that many of the artifacts found in the burial are related to the aquatic environment, which further indicates a connection with vital natural resources and the community's dependence on them.

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