Archaeologists Discover Potential Ritual Sacrifice of Pregnant Woman in Ecuador's Coastal Region

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Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of a pregnant woman believed to have lived over a thousand years ago in Ecuador, suggesting she may have been a victim of ritual sacrifice. The excavation, which took place in 2022, revealed that the remains, known as Burial 10, date from AD 771 to AD 953. Researchers from Cambridge University Press noted that she was approximately 17 to 20 years old and exhibited signs of trauma, including a cranial fracture and cut marks on hand bones, leading them to hypothesize about the potential for a ritualistic sacrifice.

Artifacts recovered from the burial site include spondylus pendants and beads, which reflect a mixture of cultural practices from both the Manteño and Valdivian peoples. Furthermore, the burial contained a large green clay stone, an unusual inclusion linked to fertility rites in Valdivian traditions, drawing attention to the woman's burial's complex cultural significance. The findings raise questions about the nature of sacrificial practices among ancient Ecuadorian societies, highlighting the unique characteristics of her final resting place, according to the study.

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