It sounds like something straight out of a “Hunger Games” novel: The rulers of a sprawling empire select beautiful children from throughout their vast territories and kill them in a ritualistic event to reinforce their power. During the Inca civilization, which thrived in South America before the arrival of Europeans, these ritual sacrifices were known as capococha. One of the victims was a 7-year-old boy who lived more than 500 years ago. His frozen, mummified remains were discovered at the edge of Argentina’s Aconcagua, the tallest mountain outside of Asia. Hikers found the mummy in 1985. Now, 30 years later, scientists have sequenced some of the boy’s DNA and...
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