Twin boys were ritually sacrificed together at famous Mayan temple, scientists find

TWIN boys were ritually sacrificed together at a famous temple, scientists have discovered.

Researchers performed genetic analyzes on the remains of 64 children buried in the ancient city of Chichen Itza.

The results showed that all individuals were male and many were buried with a relative.

Two pairs of identical twins were found at the scene.

Dating showed that most of the victims lived from 800 to 1000 AD and were local residents in what is now Mexico.

The bodies were first found in 1967, but the new discovery disproves previous theories that most of the sacrifices were girls.

The practice could be linked to themes about twins in Mayan religion.

Harvard professor Christina Warinner said: “This reveals the connection between ritual sacrifice and the cycles of death and rebirth in Mayan texts.”

Study co-author Patxi Pérez-Ramallo from the Max Planck Institute in Germany said: “Our findings show remarkably similar eating patterns between individuals who exhibit a first- or second-degree family connection.”

Co-author Kathrin Nägele from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology said: “The most surprising thing is that we identified two pairs of identical twins.

“We can say this with certainty because our sampling strategy ensured that we did not duplicate individuals.”

Taken together, the research team says their findings indicate that related male children were likely selected in pairs for ritual activities.

Co-author Oana Del Castillo-Chávez said: “The similar ages and diets of the male children, their close genetic relationship, and the fact that they were buried in the same location for more than 200 years point to chultún as a post – sacrificial burial site, with the sacrificed individuals having been selected for a specific reason.”