On the Inca pilgrim paths: archaeologists explore the routes of the Capacocha rituals (photos).

Archaeologists are investigating the ritual paths that the Incas once traveled during pilgrimages to volcanic summits for the capacocha rituals. These ceremonies involved sacrifices of children at temples known as huacas, writes Heritage Daily.

For these rituals, both boys and girls were selected, often as part of an annual tribute that local communities paid to the Inca state. Being chosen was considered a great honor, as many of the children came from noble families seeking political favor.

The ceremonies began in the Inca capital of Cusco, where the children were led around four large statues representing the Creator, the Sun God, the Moon God, and the Thunder God.

After the ceremonies in Cusco, the children embarked on a journey to the chosen huacas, located on sacred mountains and volcanoes. These pilgrimages were long and arduous, involving travel through rugged terrain and natural barriers such as rivers.

Only a few capacocha sites have been found to date, primarily on mountain peaks in northern Chile, southern Peru, and northwestern Argentina. A recent study examined the ritual landscapes associated with the capacocha journey, focusing on the location of tambos—rest stations used before reaching the summits.

Researchers concentrated on the volcanic group of Chachani and the dormant volcano Pichu-Pichu. Using photogrammetric images and satellite mapping, they discovered that the tambos were organized into two distinct sections: a larger, lower elevation area and a smaller, higher elevation area.

In Chachani, the lower tambo consisted of 14 buildings arranged around a central courtyard known as the kancha. In contrast, the higher tambo featured a single building constructed on a large rock, and the final ascent to the summit took about six hours. Along this route, the Incas built small shelters for pilgrims to rest, some of which have partially survived.

The study suggests that the spatial arrangement of the tambos reflected the sacred landscape and helped organize pilgrims by social rank. The pilgrimage included individuals of varying status, particularly priests, the sacrificial victims, their families, and other participants associated with the local huaca cult.

At the site of Pichu-Pichu, there was a similar structure with eight lower buildings surrounding a kancha and a higher tambo with a three-room building at the rock shaped like Pichu-Pichu. According to researchers, the upper tambos likely served as ritual sites for smaller gatherings.

These ceremonies included acts of divination conducted in secluded locations, playing a crucial role in the Inca state, as leaders consulted oracles on significant religious, political, military, and economic matters.

Future research aims to conduct biochemical analyses of artifacts found in the tambos to trace the origins of the pilgrims and establish a local chronology. Additionally, scientists seek to document other sites related to the capacocha rituals to uncover architectural patterns and gain a better understanding of how the Incas conducted these ceremonies.

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