The reason for the mass child sacrifices in Mexico has been discovered: they were a desperate attempt to escape drought and the wrath of the gods.

Archaeologists have discovered traces of sacrifice involving at least 42 children in Tenochtitlan, present-day Mexico City. The remains belonged to children aged between 2 and 7 years and were unearthed in the most significant temple complex in Tenochtitlan — the Templo Mayor — during the years 1980 and 1981, as reported by Live Science.

The skeletons were found lying face up with their limbs bent and were placed in boxes made of hewn stone on a layer of sand. Some were adorned with decorations, such as necklaces, and had green stone beads in their mouths. Previously, researchers were uncertain about the purpose of these sacrifices, but a new study has shed light on this mystery.

A team of archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) concluded that the child sacrifices were likely a desperate attempt to appease the rain god Tlaloc and to end the devastating drought.

According to the co-author of the study, archaeologist and project director Leonardo López Luján, the mass sacrifice of children coincided with a deadly drought that struck the region. Initially, the Mexican government attempted to alleviate the impact by opening royal granaries to redistribute food among the most needy classes. However, alongside this process, mass child sacrifices were conducted at the Templo Mayor, which were purportedly intended to appease the rain god.

During the research, scientists also sought to understand why the mass sacrifice of children took place. To do this, the team examined geological data alongside records in the Mexican drought atlas and discovered that a severe drought occurred in central Mexico between 1452 and 1454.

It is known that the extensive drought coincided with the reign of Moctezuma I, devastating crops, decimating the region's population, and forcing starving lands to sell children in exchange for food. Researchers found that the drought in early summer affected the germination, growth, and flowering of plants, while autumn frosts likely harmed corn before it could mature. As a result, the combination of these two phenomena destroyed the harvest and led to a prolonged famine.

To alleviate the crisis, the bodies of the sacrificed children were sprinkled with blue pigment, shells, and small birds, and surrounded by 11 sculptures made of volcanic stone. The sculptures were crafted to resemble the face of Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain, water, and fertility. According to López Luján, the children were likely adorned to make them resemble rain deities.