The Tragic Story of La Doncella, Incan Child Sacrifice was Drunk

VIVA – La Doncella or the Maiden is a teenage girl who died more than 500 years ago. She was one of three Inca children who were sacrificed as part of a practice known as Capacocha or Qhapac hucha.

In 1999, the mummified remains of La Doncella and two other children were discovered by archaeologists. They argued that the mummies had been left at the top of the mountain to freeze to death as an offering to the gods.

La Doncella was found wearing a ceremonial tunic and adorned with a headpiece, a sign of his new status as a messenger to heaven. In addition, remnants of alcohol were found to have induced sleep and the mouth contained fragments of coca leaves, which the Incas chewed to reduce the effects of altitude sickness.

National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Johan Reinhard, who co-led the expedition, described the discovery at the time as the best-preserved mummy of any he had seen himself.

The discovery was so old and yet so intact and preserved, it was hard to believe La Doncella's mummy was five centuries old. Eventually, investigators were able to unravel the mystery from the DNA of the Inca girl.

The results of research using biochemical analysis, the body of La Doncella recorded what she ate and drank for the last two years of her life. This research was proven through observations made on The Maiden's hair.

Evidence recorded on the hair of the beautiful mummy revealed that some children who were selected for the sacrament ceremony for one year, characterized by changes in food consumption in the form of coca and alcohol, would eventually lead to their sacrifice.

During this period, the lives of La Doncella and his fellow sacrifices changed drastically. Their consumption of coca and alcohol soared every month, which began to damage their brain tissue and health until it was time for the sacrifice.

On the day of the Maiden's death, the drugs would make her obey any command, rendering her unconscious.

This theory can be seen in the relaxed and seated position of the Maiden when she was mummified. Maiden left and was frozen with her head still wearing a feathered headdress and coca leaves still in her mouth when she was found in 1999.

The consumption of food and drink is not appropriate for a child of The Maiden's age. However, Inca ideology made coca and alcohol part of sacred rituals and substances, possibly impairing the health and sobriety of young victims, and could make them more receptive to a grim fate.

When found, The Maiden and her young companions were at an altitude of approximately 6,739 meters above the summit of the mountain, in extremely cold conditions.