“Here’s What the Inca Gave Children Before Sacrificing Them on Volcanoes”

Key points

• Study analyzes hair and nail samples from eight Inca mummies found on volcanoes.
• Toxicology detects cocaine from coca leaves in all eight individuals.
• Alcohol traces appear in about half the mummies, possibly to calm them.
• Variability suggests non-uniform preparation across the Inca Empire.
• Findings include harmine and chicha-related alcohol, linking ritual practices to substances.