Mummified Inca Boy From 500 Years Ago Showed How Humans Spread To South America

It was typical for the Incas to perform ritual sacrifices, called "capococha." The mummified remains of a seven-year-old Inca boy sacrificed in this ritual from 500 years ago were found at Argentina's Aconcagua. The boy's DNA is revealing new information on how the human population dispersed in South America.

The mummified body was found in 1985 by hikers. Since then, researchers have used its DNA to gather more information about the Inca Empire, which thrived before the Europeans' arrival, according to a study.

The researchers used a piece of the boy's lung, which enabled them to trace his mitochondrial genome. This is a type of DNA that powers energy sources inside cells. This DNA comes from both parents, and it is passed from mother to child without any changes. This is first time that scientists were able to gather the entire mitochondrial DNA from a Native American mummy.

The results of the study categorized the boy within the genetic population, called C1b, which is typical for Native Americans, according to the researchers. There were 10 mutations in the boy's mitochondrial genome, which had never been seen in ancient or modern DNA. The researchers used the boy's genetic composition to determine various factors about the boy's life.

The researchers also found that the boy's ancestors probably inhibited the Andes and areas of South America about 14,000 years ago. The researchers found that recent ancestors with varying locations and ages shared the same DNA as the boy, and it is possible that the boy may have few relatives alive in modern day. The findings in the study revealed clues about "changes in the gene pool of South America since the period of the Inca civilization," the researchers wrote.

The findings of this study were published in the journal Scientific Reports.

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