A mass ritual sacrifice of young children to a rain god in 15th-century Mexico has been linked to a deadly drought in the region, according to recent research. The skeletal remains of 42 children, aged 2 to 7, were found at Templo Mayor, a significant temple complex in Tenochtitlán, which is now Mexico City. The children’s skeletons were arranged in ashlar boxes on a layer of sand, with some adorned with jewelry and green stone beads in their mouths.
New research presented at a recent meeting in Mexico suggests that these sacrifices were an attempt to end the severe drought by appeasing the rain god Tláloc. The Mexica state initially tried to alleviate the effects of the drought by redistributing food and carrying out mass sacrifices at the Templo Mayor to calm the rain dwarves who assisted Tláloc. However, the prolonged crisis eventually led to a mass exodus of people from the region.
Studies of geological data and historical records indicate that a major drought occurred between 1452 and 1454, devastating crops and causing widespread famine. The sacrificed children were adorned with symbols of rain and fertility, such as blue pigment, seashells, and sculptures resembling the face of Tláloc. This ritualistic adornment was likely an attempt to make the children resemble rain dwarves, further appeasing the rain god.
The findings shed light on the desperate measures taken by ancient civilizations to combat natural disasters and the profound impact of environmental crises on human societies. The sacrifices at Templo Mayor serve as a poignant reminder of the lengths people will go to in times of crisis, and the complex interplay between religion, culture, and the environment in shaping human history.