The archaeological site of Paquimé, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Chihuahua, Mexico, offers a fascinating glimpse into the Mogollon culture. Inhabited for over 700 years before its mysterious abandonment in the 15th century, Paquimé’s burial sites reveal a complex social hierarchy. Recent DNA analysis of a sacrificed child’s remains unearthed in an elite burial area unveils a startling discovery: the child’s parents were close relatives, likely siblings or half-siblings.
Unraveling Paquimé’s Social Structure
Excavations at Paquimé have revealed stratified burials, with lower layers containing remains accompanied by goods like ceramics and musical instruments, while higher layers hold remains showing signs of illness and possible cannibalization. The discovery of a child’s remains, aged between two and five, in the elite “House of the Well” initially suggested ritual sacrifice. A 1974 study proposed that the child’s positioning indicated a sacrificial offering during a building consecration ceremony.
To further understand Paquimé’s social dynamics, scientists conducted DNA analysis on the child’s remains. The results, published in Antiquities, revealed a high number of identical genes and alleles, indicating parents closer than first cousins. Jakob Sedig, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard and lead author of the study, explained in a press release that the parents were “more closely related than first cousins.”
Incestuous Elite and the Consolidation of Power
This finding offers unique insights into Paquimé’s social hierarchy and religious practices. The House of the Well, where the child’s remains were found, is believed to have been an elite burial ground. The child likely descended from an upper-class sibling pair or other close relatives. Sacrificing a child born to elite family members would have held significant symbolic power, consecrating the House of the Well and bolstering the family’s social, political, and ritual standing.
The study suggests that incest taboos, while enforced among commoners, might have been disregarded by elites aiming to consolidate power. This practice of close-kin unions within the elite demonstrates how the pursuit of power could supersede societal norms.
Future Research Directions
This DNA analysis provides a valuable piece of the puzzle in understanding Paquimé’s social structure. Further research involving ancient DNA analysis from Paquimé and surrounding regions will shed more light on the movement and intermingling of different groups over time. Sedig highlighted the next research steps, which involve continuing DNA analysis of individuals from Paquimé and broader regions of northern and western Mexico to understand population movements and interactions throughout history.
This research not only illuminates the specific case of Paquimé but also contributes to our broader understanding of social structures and power dynamics in pre-contact societies. The study showcases how genetic analysis can provide crucial evidence for reconstructing past social practices and beliefs, offering a unique window into the lives and rituals of ancient civilizations.
