In early December, archaeologists unearthed 32 skeletons of the pre-Hispanic Moche and Lambaeke cultures in the Pomalka region of Peru.
Most of the skeletons belonged to young children and adolescents, but archaeologists were particularly surprised that 16 skeletons were missing various leg bones.
The graves were apparently not torn apart by wild animals because the other bones of the skeleton were intact (paranormal-news.ru).
At first, there was an assumption that these children were disabled and it was for this reason that they were buried in one place. But then archaeologists came across a skeleton that was missing not the bone of the fingers and not the bone of the thigh, but the fibula of the lower leg.
At the same time, the tibia was in place, that is, it was not a matter of amputation of a limb due to a wound or infection. And then it was concluded that the bones were removed from the skeletons already posthumously. But for what?
When small objects made from human bones were found in several graves, everything fell into place.
Archaeologists say that the parents of deceased children themselves took the bones "for memory", and then made souvenirs from them or wore pieces of bones in medallions around their necks.
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It was the leg bones that were taken, perhaps because they were stronger and thicker and lasted longer. Moreover, according to archaeologists, this is not the first time they have encountered such an eerie custom.
Apparently, the tradition of taking "bones for memory" from deceased relatives was spread throughout the territory of ancient Peru. Most often, small bones of the toes were taken for medallions, and this tradition especially extended to children.
Children who died ahead of time seemed to give their parents a piece of themselves in order to stay with them longer.
The Moche culture inhabited these lands between 100 and 700 AD, and after them the Lambayeke culture, which developed from 750 to 1375, used the same cemetery. Both peoples knew how to make beautiful pottery and jewelry.