Antiquity· 2026Q1
Toxicological studies on the Inca frozen mummies from volcanoes in Peru and Argentina
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- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Toxicological analysis of hair and nail samples from eight Inca frozen mummies reveals cocaine and benzoylecgonine in all hair, cocaethylene in two, and harmine in one, indicating varied ritual use of psychoactive substances across the Inca Empire.
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Key points
- Cocaine and benzoylecgonine were detected in the hair of all eight Inca frozen mummies analyzed.
- Cocaethylene was identified in hair samples from two individuals (Chuscha and Llullaillaco).
- Harmine was found in the nail samples of one individual from Ampato (#1).
- These findings suggest a widespread but varied use of psychoactive substances in Inca ritual practices.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Individuals selected for the Inca capacocha ritual, sacrificed at high-altitude sites to act as messengers to the mountain deities, are occasionally found preserved as frozen mummies, providing key insights into Inca life and religious practices. Here, the authors present results of toxicological analyses of hair and nail samples from eight human sacrifices interred near volcanic peaks in Peru and Argentina. Identification of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in all hair samples, cocaethylene in two (Chuscha and Llullaillaco) and harmine in the nails of one individual (Ampato #1) indicates commonalities and differences in the ritual use of psychoactive substances across the Inca Empire.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Antiquity, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Archeology (Arts and Humanities)
Archeology (arts and humanities)Arts and Humanities