Chilling 700-year-old mass grave with bodies of 76 sacrificed children who had their hearts ripped out found in Peru

A CHILLING discovery has been made in a 700-year-old mass grave that contains the bodies of 76 sacrificed children. The Peruvian find comes from a civilisation that predated the Inca with the victims likely being conquered from a nearby village. Advertisement 8 The graves were found in a mound Credit: Gabriel Prieto, Huanchaco Archaeological Program 8 The Chimu site had the bodies of 76 children who likely had their hearts removed Credit: Huanchaco Archaeological Program 8 The mass grave was found in Pampa La Cruz, Peru Credit: Gabriel Prieto, Huanchaco Archaeological Program 8 Archaeologists have found the dead 76 children had their chests cut open from the collarbone down to the sternum and had their ribs forced open to remove the heart, LiveScience reports .

Now the experts believe they could have been sacrificed to "energise" irrigation for nearby agriculture. The sacrificial site was found in Pampa La Cruz, in northwestern Peru, and belonged to the Chimu . The mass grave was first found in 2022, but archaeologists have now begun to uncover the grisly details about its occupants.

Advertisement Read more on tech SKY HIGH Supersonic jet smashes key speed test in goal to fly NYC to London in 3.5hrs SPACE INVADER Watch Nasa drone that will visit nearby 'ocean' moon in hunt for alien life The children were buried naked with their clothes near them in a large mound along with silver and copper squares sewn onto the garments. The 76 victims also had elongated skulls, with bandag.