Toxicological studies on the Inca frozen mummies from volcanoes in Peru and Argentina

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.