6-fingered limbs are 'fashion' in ancient America

People with six fingers, six toes are carved into reliefs and are seen with a critical eye.

The unique culture of the Chaco people from thousands of years ago is still preserved at Chaco Canyon, at Chaco National Historical Park (New Mexico, USA). Scientists have known for a long time that this ethnic group suffers from anomalies , based on the sculptural images and the arms and legs they collected. In historical periods, the person who had a leg or finger was once considered a witch, or a godly descendant like in a Vietnamese fairy tale. As for the Chaco people, archaeologists had not previously thought about what role this deformity played in ancient society.

Pueblo Bonito, seen from the Chaco Canyon plateau.

Curious about it, Patricia Crown, an anthropologist, headed the team from New Mexico University, who explored the entire ancient Pueblo Bonito territory. The results published in the American Antiquity magazine show that those with excess toes are not exalted, but they are much more prioritized both at the time of life and after death.

Figure carved 6-foot foot on stone.

"We found that people with 6 fingers often enjoy important rituals and possess the objects for high-status subjects like turquoise stones," Crown said.

In the relics, it is easy to see that six-finger people are carefully buried with rituals, private rooms, wearing sophisticated jewelry on deformed feet. Across the Chaco Canyon area are objects and carvings of more common toes on the walls and floors, especially the shrine rooms. Through excavation, the researchers also found many sandal sandals with details for extra-toe people. Thus, it can be concluded that excessive finger is a characteristic considered noble in society at that time.

Construct a 6-finger footprint at the site.

With the help of anthropologist Kerriann Marden, from the University of East New Mexico, the team analyzed 96 remains and discovered three of them had one extra toe in the right foot. The rate of 3.1% of the population with deformities is quite high compared to the current 0.2% of the local population, and the whole United States is 0.13% of white people, 1.4% of people of color.

The research team hypothesized that this disease is inherited through life, or poisoning from certain sources , or due to the mother's diet during pregnancy, so the number of people with significant increases in the community. But whatever the reason, it is certain that those who are extraordinarily glorified are always honored for their specials and not treated like monstrosities.