Sacrifice ceremony through the newly discovered ancient temple

A 3,500-year-old ancient temple discovered by Peruvian archaeologists near the Huanchaquito Sea has shown sacrifices and decentralization in society at that time.

This temple is said to belong to the first fishermen in Gramalote, a Huanchaquito shark hunting village (Peru). Until recently, it was believed that at that time the villagers did not have their own places of worship and had to travel very far, even hours to reach the temples in the area and to celebrate. However, this latest discovery has shown that fishermen have their own temple to perform worship rituals.

Expanding the excavation area of ​​the temple, which is located on the highest land in the town, scientists discovered an open center corridor with steps, which could have been a place of worship. Behind the temple are individual areas connected by long halls. In the excavation pit there are traces of reed pipes, leading to speculation that the temple's roof may be made of reed. In addition, scientists also discovered three sets of child remains, which may be victims of sacrifices.

Sea lion bone specimens and sharks discovered at the temple area.

In one part of the temple, the researchers found some items like fishing tools, while on the other side, items for women, such as textile tools . Archaeologist Gabriel Prieto said : 'We think that, in this temple, in order for the ceremony to be a larger scale, an area reserved for young people has been added, they have been brought here by their predecessors to teach to become cities. helpful members in the community '.

Until recently, it was believed that people in the town of Gramalote, who were fishermen, had to walk for hours to the temples in the region. For example, excavation evidence suggests that the villagers concentrated on producing seafood and then sold it to the Caballo Muerto area, both for consumption and for use in ritual rituals, and gradually created a communication relationship. trade between the two regions. Gramalote can even be a special colony to supply goods to the hinterland. However, the latest findings indicate that not only do ceremonies in the hinterland, but Gramalote also organizes its own rituals at the temple located right in the village.

Previous research conducted by archaeologist Gabriel Prieto also shows that shark hunting is one of the most typical cultures and plays an important role in the life of Gramalote people. The remaining fish bones show that the food is mainly black sharks, sand sharks and stingrays. These three special fish species are also present during regular rituals of fishermen. From the excavated specimens, archaeologists believe that sand sharks have been placed on reed plates, along with sea shells and sea lion bones located in another location. Human bones and shark bones were also found, suggesting that there may have been human sacrifices for the sea.

An ancient sculpture of shark hunting in Peru.

Prieto archaeologist said that the use of seafood in all seasons is related to the need to maintain food sources from the sea and to sacrifice the sea gods who have 'right to birth and right' for fishermen.

Prieto said: 'I would like to hypothesize that fishermen from the wild have used their most valuable food resources for rituals. This may be part of their spiritual life at that time, to satisfy their vital and spiritual needs. '

Archaeologists also point out that the newly discovered temple may indicate a hierarchical society, with certain monks or heads taking over the entire ritual. Earlier findings suggest that all adult men have status signs on their ears, depending on the time spent working in the water. However, newly excavated remains at the temple do not have these signs. Prieto hypothesized that Gramalote was then entering a period of transition from a society where everyone was equally self-sustaining through fishing, to a society with solid members. more distinctly, clearly expressed in spiritual rituals.