The Children of Llullaillaco represent a profound archaeological discovery, offering a direct view into the final moments of the Inca Empire. These three individuals—La Doncella, El Niño, and La Niña del Rayo—were found entombed high on the slopes of Volcán Llullaillaco, a peak straddling the border of modern-day Argentina. Preserved for over five centuries, their remains are considered some of the best-preserved human remains ever recovered. Their exceptional condition enabled scientists to conduct detailed analyses, revealing intimate details about their diet, health, and final journey before their ritual sacrifice.
The Llullaillaco Discovery and Preservation
The discovery of the children occurred in March 1999 during an archaeological expedition near the summit of Volcán Llullaillaco, the world’s highest archaeological site at 6,739 meters (22,100 feet) above sea level. The bodies were found interred in a small chamber, accompanied by 46 miniature figures, textiles, and other grave goods. Their exceptional physical condition was due entirely to the extreme environmental conditions of the high-altitude Andes.
The volcano summit provided a unique, natural deep-freeze environment that effectively halted decomposition. Constant, sub-zero temperatures, low oxygen levels, and high altitude created a process of natural freeze-drying, or lyophilization. This preservation was so complete that internal organs, blood, hair, and delicate skin tissues remained intact, allowing for bioarchaeological analysis. This preserved the chemical record of their final months.
The Capacocha Rite
The children’s presence on the mountain relates to the Inca ritual known as Capacocha, a ceremonial offering to the gods. This practice was performed to appease mountain deities, or Apus, ensuring bountiful harvests, commemorating an emperor’s death, or averting natural disasters. The selection process was highly formalized; subjects were chosen for physical perfection and often came from high-status families who offered them as tribute or to gain political favor.
Once chosen, the children embarked on a long pilgrimage, often traveling hundreds of miles from the Inca capital of Cusco toward the sacred mountain. The journey was a symbolic ascent from the common world to the divine realm of the mountain peaks. It was believed the children were not dying, but were being sent to live with the gods, becoming messengers and guardians. The final act involved placing the children in burial chambers on the summit, where they were left to succumb to the cold, often having been sedated to minimize distress.
Scientific Insights from Diet and Health Analysis
Analysis of the children’s hair provided a chronological record of their diet and substance intake during their final year of life. Hair growth traps chemical markers from the bloodstream, allowing scientists to trace dietary changes by analyzing sections of the hair strand. Stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen revealed a distinct shift in the children’s diet roughly 12 months before their death.
Before selection for the Capacocha ceremony, the children’s diet was typical of commoner households, consisting primarily of potatoes and other vegetables. In the year leading up to their sacrifice, however, their diet shifted significantly to include elite foods such as maize and llama protein. This change suggests a rise in social status and a period of ritual fattening in preparation for the ceremony. Further analysis tracked the consumption of psychoactive substances, particularly coca leaves and chicha, a fermented maize beer.
The Maiden, the oldest child, showed the most dramatic increase in substance use, with her coca consumption peaking six months before her death. Her alcohol intake, detected by the metabolite cocaethylene, spiked in the final weeks. This suggests she was heavily sedated during her final pilgrimage and entombment, as the Maiden was found with a coca quid lodged between her teeth. These substances were administered to calm the children, mitigate altitude sickness, and ensure compliance for the ritual.
Genetic Mapping and Ancestry
Genetic studies focusing on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) provided insights into the children’s ancestry and the population structure of the Inca Empire. mtDNA is inherited directly from the mother and is used to trace maternal lineages. Analysis placed the three individuals within the common Amerindian haplogroups C and D, which are among the four main lineages found across the indigenous populations of the Americas.
More detailed sequencing revealed that the Maiden and La Niña del Rayo belonged to a specific sub-lineage of haplotype D, while El Niño belonged to haplotype C. These genetic signatures confirm their deep ancestral ties to the Andean region and its long history of migration. The unique sub-lineages found in the children hint at a genetic diversity that may have been lost or reduced in modern indigenous populations following the European conquest. The genetic material provides a tangible link to specific ancient populations, helping to map the movements and relationships of people within the vast Inca territory.