Low levels of interpersonal violence found in ancient Peru skeletal study
Researchers examined 1,633 skeletons from the Lambayeque Valley and found that only 25 individuals showed signs of physical injury from violence.
A study of ancient communities in Peru's Lambayeque Valley has found that interpersonal violence was rare despite thousands of years of environmental hardship, according to the Times of India.
Researchers Thomas J Snyder of New York University and Haagen D Klaus of George Mason University examined 1,633 skeletons from 30 archaeological sites. Of these, only 25 people, or approximately 1.6 per cent, showed evidence of injuries linked to violence between individuals.
The research, published in Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology, also noted that 77 individuals had evidence of accidental injuries. The team found no clear link between environmental instability and the occurrence of either violent or accidental trauma.
While the region experienced El Niño-related flooding and periods of mass ritual sacrifice, the study suggests these did not lead to widespread everyday aggression. The researchers found no significant difference in the frequency of violence between men and women.
The study noted that while ritual killings occurred in cultures such as the Moche and Sicán, this was a distinct social practice from ordinary interpersonal conflict. The researchers suggested that access to marine resources might have helped these communities manage agricultural disruptions.
The authors cautioned that skeletal remains may not record all injuries, particularly those affecting soft tissue. They also noted that they could not establish precise dates for every individual to link specific injuries to exact climatic events.