Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 10 hrs ago
Ancient Peruvians had low violence despite human sacrifice, study finds
A study of ancient remains found low levels of violence in Peru's Lambayeque Valley, despite evidence of human sacrifice.
The valley is on the desert coast of northern Peru.
Mass ritual sacrifices there have been linked to catastrophic flooding caused by El Niño, a weather pattern that brings intense rain and flooding to Peru.
Researchers wondered whether scarce resources during climate crises had driven violence as well as sacrifice.
Instead, the survey found violence was extremely rare, even during ecological upheaval.
The findings may help researchers understand how societies respond to extreme climate events.
A survey of the Lambayeque Valley in northern Peru found that violence was extremely rare, even during periods of ecological upheaval.
The finding comes despite evidence that people in the valley practiced human sacrifice.
Researchers have linked mass ritual sacrifices on Peru’s desert coast to catastrophic El Niño flooding.
At least some sacrifices may have been attempts to appease the gods after El Niño events.
- Who
- Ancient people who lived in the Lambayeque Valley of northern Peru.
- What
- A study found violence was extremely rare despite human sacrifice.
- When
- The period studied is not stated. The articles were published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- The Lambayeque Valley on the desert coast of northern Peru.
- Why
- At least some sacrifices are thought to have been attempts to appease the gods after El Niño events.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Human sacrifice occurred in the Lambayeque Valley.
Mass ritual sacrifices have been linked to the flooding.
Articles reported a survey finding that violence in the valley was extremely rare.
- Location
- Lambayeque Valley, northern Peru
- Violence finding
- Extremely rare, including during ecological upheaval
- Practice
- Human sacrifice occurred over millennia
- Climate event
- El Niño, which can cause intense rains and flooding in Peru
- Article publication date
- November 9, 2026